How does radiation affect DNA?

Radiation can damage DNA by breaking the chemical bonds that hold the DNA molecule together.

When ionizing radiation, such as X-rays or gamma rays, passes through a cell, it can knock electrons out of atoms and molecules, creating highly reactive ions. These ions can then react with the DNA molecule, breaking the bonds between the nucleotides that make up the DNA strand. This can cause the DNA to break into smaller pieces, or even to become completely fragmented.

The damage to DNA caused by radiation can have serious consequences for the cell and the organism as a whole. If the damage is not repaired, the cell may not be able to carry out its normal functions, or it may even die. In some cases, the damage may cause mutations in the DNA, which can lead to cancer or other diseases.

Fortunately, cells have mechanisms for repairing DNA damage caused by radiation. These mechanisms can detect and repair many types of damage, including breaks in the DNA strand and changes to individual nucleotides. However, if the damage is too severe or occurs too frequently, the repair mechanisms may not be able to keep up, and the risk of mutations and other harmful effects increases.