Radioresistant and Dessication Resistant Organisms: Their Habitat, Mechanism of Adaptations and Biotechnological Applications

This study examined the effects of X-ray radiation on recombination frequency in Sordaria fimicola, a model organism. A Laboratory Manual for Biology 110 Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity states that S. fimicola:

Radiation is one of the main forms of energy (Pettigrew 1). In today’s environment we are only familiar with the basic types of radiation. These types are in the form of

Radioactivity is when energy is emitted from the nucleus due to the nucleus being unstable. The 3 types of radiation are Alpha ,Beta and gamma. Alpha particles have 2 protons and two neutrons. Examples of radioactive nuclei that emit alpha radiation. Are : uranium, thorium, actinium, and radium They are very ionising so they give energy off onto whatever they are in contact with. Therefore, it loses energy more quickly. They are not very penetrating so can be stopped by a piece of paper or skin. Beta particles have 1

Medalia (2011) concludes that ionizing radiation, in other words radiation separate from harmless radio waves and light, has the ability to knock electrons out of atoms, causing a condition that produces an electrically charged atom that can damage human cells. Only a very small amount is needed to produce biological change. Symptoms include cancer, genetic mutations, sickness, vomiting, diarrhea, hemorrhaging, and at high doses, death within hours (Medalia 2011).

Ionizing radiation is a form of radiation that can alter the structure of DNA molecules in living cells. It is a kind of energy produced by atoms that travels in form of electromagnetic waves. Sources of this form of energy are x-ray

Why are certain wavelengths (gamma rays & X-rays) of radiation damage DNA and not others? Can DNA be repaired when damaged?

Another type of extremophile is radio-resistant organisms. Radiation from the rays of the sun such as ultraviolet rays or any other source can damage cells in living organisms causing the premature death of cells as well as damaging the DNA within cells that can cause mutations of skin cells. This leads to cancers and other disorders relating to the improper coding of proteins as a result of damaged DNA. According to Gabani et al. (2013) organisms such as the bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans have adapted to withstand the harmful effects of radiation up to above the lethal dose of radiation. Other organisms that have been known to withstand the negative effects of a decaying radioactive isotope are

Summary: Deinococcus Radiodurans is a gram-negative extremophile capable of resisting cell death by UV radiation. One interesting aspect of the bacterium is that its DNA is found in a coiled form and its cells are always found in either pairs or tetrads. Deinococcus Radiodurans has an extraordinary ability of repairing its DNA after being subject to extreme doses of radiating, levels significantly greater than what would

Certain types of radiation, such as x-rays, rays from radioactive substances, and ultraviolet rays from exposure to the sun, can produce damage to the DNA of cells, which might lead to cancer.

Food irradiation is the exposure of a carefully measured amount of ionizing radiation to food. This is done in a processing room or a sealed chamber for a specified amount of time. With food irradiation, energy from radiation breaks chemical bonds, leaving the food fresh and nutritious, but with specific benefits, depending on the treatment type. (1) Food irradiation kills bacteria in the food and interferes with its molecular bonds to stop it from multiplying. (2)

Ionizing radiation that is used in medical imaging releases free radicals. These radicals can interfere with the molecular chemical bonds that is responsible for regulating the cellular function inside the cell. The interaction between free radicals and the molecules inside the cell might lead to genetic mutations in the DNA and it can damage cellular enzymes leading to the proliferation of cancer cells. In the United States, 50% of the environmental exposure to ionizing radiation is mainly attributed to medical imaging. Computed tomography (CT) scans are the main source of X-rays, a form of ionizing radiation. The purpose of this project is to present an overview of the main reasons for exposure, explaining the possible future effects of ionizing radiation on human health, enlightening the imaging modalities with ionizing radiation, addressing the population at risk, and explaining the main principles and recommendations to avoid and limit the exposure to ionizing radiation.

Nuclear irradiation is likely to be the result that will develop from the electronic beam irradiation technology used today.

On Earth, the layers of atmosphere shield us from most of the radiation that could ever reach us but not all radiation is filtered like UV radiation. If there was no atmosphere, the high-energy particles can rip through the DNA’s links and cause mutations (usually in the form of cancer). When a high-energy particle affects the DNA/RNA or molecules, it can rip apart links or chains in the DNA/molecules. [3] The links that ripped apart a DNA can cause cancer and can affect chromosomes in the process. This process eventually leads to death if the DNA/RNA or cell is unable to repair the damage bonds. Exposure radiation can cause either an acute or chronic radiation poisoning. [3] Acute radiation is simply one large exposure to radiation either from high-energy/ionized or cosmic rays. Instead of having one large exposure of radiation, chronic radiation is having small doses over time, hence the

On Earth, the layers of atmosphere shield us from most of the radiation that could ever reach us but not all radiation is filtered like UV radiation. If there was no atmosphere, the high-energy particles can rip through the DNA’s links and cause mutations (usually in the form of cancer). When a high-energy particle affects the DNA/RNA or molecules, it can rip apart links or chains in the DNA/molecules. [3] The links that ripped apart a DNA can cause cancer and can affect chromosomes in the process. This process eventually leads to death if the DNA/RNA or cell is unable to repair the damage bonds. Exposure radiation can cause either an acute or chronic radiation poisoning. [3] Acute radiation is simply one large exposure to radiation either from high-energy/ionized or cosmic rays. Instead of having one large exposure of radiation, chronic radiation is having small doses over time, hence the Latin root

The health risks of radiation exposure can be described as either acute or chronic. Acute exposure is short term and the severity of symptoms ranges from nausea to central nervous system damage and even to death in large doses. [2] Chronic exposure is usually less intense radiation but for a longer period of time, and the health risks include developing cataracts and an increased risk of cancer. [2] This is the most pressing issue for astronaut safety. Normally, when exposed to the low levels of radiation we encounter every day, cells are able to mend themselves very quickly. When we are exposed to high doses, such as astronauts would encounter in space, cells may not be able to repair themselves and can become mutated