Chapter 12.6, Problem 12.15YT

(a)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

What is an ion has to be found and two examples have to be given.

Concept Introduction:

Ionizing radiation:

Ionizing radiation carries energetic electrons from atoms or molecules and thus converts those atoms and molecules as ions. Apart from electrons, ionizing radiation is made up of other energetic sub-atomic particles, ions or atoms that are moving at high-speeds.

(b)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The examples for species having unpaired electrons have to be given.

Concept Introduction:

Generation of free-radicals:

The free radicals are usually initiated by homolytic fission which is the chemical bond dissociation that takes place with the formation of two fragments each of which holds an electron of the bonded electron pair of the chemical bond.

Example:

(c)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

How do radiation produces ions with unpaired electrons has to be explained.

Concept Introduction:

Ionizing radiation:

Ionizing radiation carries energetic electrons from atoms or molecules and thus converts those atoms and molecules as ions. Apart from electrons, ionizing radiation is made up of other energetic sub-atomic particles, ions or atoms that are moving at high-speeds.

Free radicals: Free radicals are fragments that are resulted from homolytic cleavage of a chemical bond and thus hold an unshared electron which is always represented by a dot. These species are highly unstable species and thus being highly reactive species.

(d)

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

How free radicals cause random mutation in DNA has to be explained.

Concept Introduction:

Ionizing radiation:

Ionizing radiation carries energetic electrons from atoms or molecules and thus converts those atoms and molecules as ions. Apart from electrons, ionizing radiation is made up of other energetic sub-atomic particles, ions or atoms that are moving at high-speeds.

• • The advantage of using ionizing radiation:

Under controlled circumstances, the use of selective ionizing radiation targets to promote the death of cancerous cells.

• • The disadvantage of using ionizing radiation:

The treatment of ionizing radiation involves the risk of causing damage to DNA and reproductive cells.

DNA:

DNA is a self-replicating genetic material that is present in all living organisms. It carries genetic information from one generation to the several successive generations. Basically it is a biopolymer of nucleotides which are monomeric units and each monomeric unit has three major components such as a deoxyribose sugar unit, a phosphate group and a nitrogen-containing base.