Radiobiology

Radiobiology: the study of the effects of ionizing radiation on living organisms

Radiobiology is a science that studies the effects of ionizing radiation on living organisms. Ionizing radiation is electromagnetic waves or corpuscular flows that have sufficient energy to ionize matter. Exposure to ionizing radiation on the body can cause serious consequences, such as disruption of the body's vital functions and damage to tissues, including their death.

When the body is exposed to ionizing radiation, physical processes of radiation absorption by tissue matter occur. As a result, neutral molecules of water and other compounds in the body are ionized, i.e. disintegrate into differently charged particles and uncharged ones (free radicals), which have great chemical activity. This leads to disruption of metabolic processes and the formation of poisonous (toxic) products, which can affect various tissues and organs of the body.

Changes that occur in the body under the influence of ionizing radiation depend on the dose, type of radiation, routes of exposure to the body and a number of other factors. The most radiosensitive cells are germ and hematopoietic cells, as well as epithelial cells of the small intestine. Immature forms of tissue elements (embryonic and young tissues, as well as organs during the period of formation) are more sensitive to the action of ionizing radiation.

Radiobiology studies not only the effect of artificial, but also natural sources of radiation on organisms. The natural background radiation, which consists of radiation coming to our planet from outer space, radiation from radioactive elements in soil, plants, water, radiation from radioactive elements that make up the atmosphere, and radiation from the organisms themselves inhabiting the planet, can also lead to disruption of the body’s vital functions .

Radiobiology data are used to establish maximum permissible radiation doses for operating personnel and organize protective measures at nuclear enterprises, as well as in institutions that use radiation for medical purposes. The data is also used to determine radiation doses and radiation methods in the treatment of various diseases, including malignant tumors. Radiobiological studies can help determine the optimal radiation regimen and dose of radiation needed to achieve maximum treatment effect with minimal side effects.

There are also applications of radiobiology in the field of radiation ecology, where the effects of radioactive contamination on the environment and living organisms are studied. For example, radiobiologists study the effects of radioactive substances on animals and plants in radioactively contaminated areas, and also develop methods of protection against radioactive contamination.

In general, radiobiology is an important science that helps to understand the effects of ionizing radiation on living organisms and to develop measures to protect against them.

Radiobiology is a science that studies the effects of radioactive radiation on living organisms and the mechanisms of their protection from this effect. It includes the study of such aspects as the effect of ionizing radiation on cells, the mechanisms of DNA damage and repair, as well as the effect of radiation on the growth, development and reproduction of organisms.