How does radiation cause mutations?

Radiation can cause mutations by damaging DNA molecules, leading to errors in replication and repair.

When high-energy radiation, such as X-rays or gamma rays, interacts with DNA molecules, it can break the chemical bonds that hold the molecule together. This can cause a variety of damage, including single-strand breaks, double-strand breaks, and the formation of chemical bonds between adjacent nucleotides.

If the damage is not repaired correctly, it can lead to errors in DNA replication or transcription. For example, a single-strand break may cause a replication fork to stall, leading to errors in the copying of the DNA sequence. A double-strand break may cause the DNA to be repaired by a process called non-homologous end joining, which can introduce errors or deletions in the DNA sequence.

In some cases, the damage may be so severe that the cell cannot repair it and will undergo programmed cell death, or apoptosis. However, if the damage is not severe enough to trigger apoptosis, the cell may continue to divide and pass on the mutations to its daughter cells.

Overall, the risk of radiation-induced mutations depends on the dose and type of radiation, as well as the sensitivity of the organism or tissue to radiation damage. It is important to minimize exposure to radiation and to use protective measures, such as shielding and dosimetry, to reduce the risk of mutations and other harmful effects.