Abstract
The study of the biological effects of ionizing radiation started practically at the same time as the discovery of X-rays in 1895. Since the techniques and methods accepted today to quantify radiation dose were absent at that time, first findings and studies were barely qualitative. Current standards to protect people against ionizing radiation are based on a large amount of information on its possible health effects.Current standards to protect people against ionizing radiation are based on a large amount of information on its possible health effects.
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Notes
- 1.
A signaling pathway describes a group of molecules in a cell that work together to control one or more cell functions, such as cell division or cell death. After the first molecule in a pathway receives a signal, it activates another molecule. This process is repeated until the last molecule is activated and the cell function is carried out.
- 2.
Cell cycle checkpoints are control mechanisms which ensure proper cell division. Each checkpoint serves as a potential halting point along the cell cycle, during which the conditions of the cell are assessed, with progression through the various phases of the cell cycle occurring when favorable conditions are met.
- 3.
Gy (gray) is the unit of absorbed dose used in radiation biology, clinical radiology, and radiation safety. It describes the energy imparted to matter by all kinds of ionizing radiation.
- 4.
Sv (Sievert) is a special unit for the quantities equivalent dose, effective dose, and operational dose, used in radiation safety to reflect the amount of radiation detriment likely to result from the dose, or the amount of harm caused by the dose to a tissue or organ.
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Domenech, H. (2017). Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation. In: Radiation Safety. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-42671-6_2
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