Radiation | Definition, Types, Effects, Facts | Britannica All matter is constantly bombarded with radiation of both types from cosmic and terrestrial sources This article delineates the properties and behaviour of radiation and the matter with which it interacts and describes how energy is transferred from radiation to its surroundings
Radiation - Cellular, DNA, Tissue | Britannica The biologic effects of radiation in humans and other mammals are generally subdivided into (1) those that affect the body of the exposed individual—somatic effects—and (2) those that affect the offspring of the exposed individual—genetic, or heritable, effects
Serious Harm to Wildlife at Chernobyl and Fukushima Radiation exposure has caused genetic damage and increased mutation rates in many organisms in the Chernobyl region So far, we have found little convincing evidence that many organisms there are evolving to become more resistant to radiation
Radiation - Mutations, DNA, Cells | Britannica Radiation - Mutations, DNA, Cells: Gene mutations resulting from radiation-induced damage to DNA have been produced experimentally in many types of organisms In general, the frequency of a given mutation increases in proportion to the dose of radiation in the low-to-intermediate dose range
Ionizing radiation | Definition, Sources, Types, Effects, Facts . . . Different types of radiation differ somewhat in biological effectiveness per unit of dose For example, alpha particle radiation absorbed in tissue is considered to be about 20 times more effective as a carcinogen than the same dose of gamma rays
Mutation | Definition, Causes, Types, Facts | Britannica Mutations result either from accidents during the normal chemical transactions of DNA, often during replication, or from exposure to high-energy electromagnetic radiation (e g , ultraviolet light or X-rays) or particle radiation or to highly reactive chemicals in the environment
Photosynthesis | Definition, Formula, Process, Diagram, Reactants . . . Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and certain other organisms transform light energy into chemical energy During photosynthesis in green plants, light energy is captured and used to convert water, carbon dioxide, and minerals into oxygen and energy-rich organic compounds
Toxicology | Poisons, Effects on Living Systems, Biochemistry . . . Among the concerns of toxicologists and scientists worldwide are the use of chlorofluorocarbons (which affect the ozone layer in the atmosphere), the effects of acid rain on the world’s forests, and the release of harmful radioactive substances into the soil, groundwater, oceans, and air
Poison | Description, Classification, Control, Facts | Britannica A poison is a substance, natural or synthetic, that damages living tissues and has injurious effects on the body, whether it is ingested, inhaled, or absorbed or injected through the skin If the toxicity is severe enough, death may result