Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026

06:20
Irradiator Commissioning and Dosimetry for Assessment of LQ α and β Parameters, Radiation Dosing Schema, and in vivo Dose Deposition
Published on: March 11, 2021
Radiation biology and protection.
John E Colangelo1, James Johnston, Jeff B Killion
1Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas, USA.
Radiologic Technology
|May 22, 2009
Summary
Radiologic technologists must refresh radiation biology and protection knowledge. Understanding radiation physics, biology, and protection strategies, including historical context and research, is crucial for safety.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Radiation Biology
- Radiologic Technology
Background:
- Effective radiation protection is vital for healthcare professionals, patients, and the public.
- Continuous learning in radiation safety is essential due to evolving research and historical incidents.
- Radiologic technologists play a critical role in implementing radiation safety protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review fundamental concepts in radiation physics and human biology.
- To discuss current radiation protection strategies and their evolution.
- To emphasize the impact of historical events and research on radiation protection practices.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of radiation physics principles.
- Summary of human biology relevant to radiation effects.
- Analysis of radiation protection strategies and historical influences.
- Discussion of emerging research in radiation safety.
Main Results:
- Key concepts of radiation physics and their biological impact are outlined.
- Effective radiation protection strategies are detailed, informed by historical context.
- The influence of scientific advancements and past events on current practices is highlighted.
- The importance of continuous education for radiologic technologists is reinforced.
Conclusions:
- Regularly updating knowledge on radiation biology and protection is imperative for radiologic technologists.
- A comprehensive understanding of radiation physics, biology, and protection strategies ensures optimal safety.
- Adapting practices based on historical lessons and new research enhances radiation safety protocols.
Related Concept Videos
Biological Effects of Radiation
All radioactive nuclides emit high-energy particles or electromagnetic waves. When this radiation encounters living cells, it can cause heating, break chemical bonds, or ionize molecules. The most serious biological damage results when these radioactive emissions fragment or ionize molecules. For example, α and β particles emitted from nuclear decay reactions possess much higher energies than ordinary chemical bond energies. When these particles strike and penetrate matter, they produce ions...
Mutations
Mutations are changes in the sequence of DNA. These changes can occur spontaneously or they can be induced by exposure to environmental factors. Mutations can be characterized in a number of different ways: whether and how they alter the amino acid sequence of the protein, whether they occur over a small or large area of DNA, and whether they occur in somatic cells or germline cells.
Chromosomal Alterations Are Large-Scale Mutations
While point mutations are changes in a single nucleotide in...
Chromosomal Alterations Are Large-Scale Mutations
While point mutations are changes in a single nucleotide in...
Radiation: Applications
The average temperature of Earth is the subject of much current discussion. Earth is in radiative contact with both the Sun and dark space; it receives almost all its energy from the radiation of the Sun and reflects some of it into outer space. Dark space is very cold, about 3 K, so Earth radiates energy into it. For instance, heat transfer occurs from soil and grasses, the rate of which can be so rapid that frost can occur on clear summer evenings, even in warm latitudes.
The average...
The average...
Absorption of Radiation
The rate of heat transfer by emitted radiation is described by the Stefan-Boltzmann law of radiation:
Nucleotide Excision Repair
DNA Distortion and Damage
Cells are regularly exposed to mutagens—factors in the environment that can damage DNA and generate mutations. UV radiation is one of the most common mutagens and is estimated to introduce a significant number of changes in DNA. These include bends or kinks in the structure, which can block DNA replication or transcription. If these errors are not fixed, the damage can cause mutations, which in turn can result in cancer or disease depending on which sequences are...
Cells are regularly exposed to mutagens—factors in the environment that can damage DNA and generate mutations. UV radiation is one of the most common mutagens and is estimated to introduce a significant number of changes in DNA. These include bends or kinks in the structure, which can block DNA replication or transcription. If these errors are not fixed, the damage can cause mutations, which in turn can result in cancer or disease depending on which sequences are...
Nucleotide Excision Repair
Overview
