How come radioactivity causes deformitites?

Art · 14 Aug 2011 at 23:22

-Tauren- said:
what would happen to my body if i got stuck under an xray machine and it got left on full power?

Deinococcus radiodurans is a very interesting radiation-resistant microorganism, and going by the data on it's wiki page, you'd need to be stuck under it for about 5,000 times the normal exposure length before you'd get a lethal dose.

A shorter time would probably still have nasty side effects though.

EDIT: Those numbers are for chest X-ray machines. Aside from that, take a look at the acute radiation poisoning page.

jp_bl_68 · 14 Aug 2011 at 23:25

Moses said:
Troll account, right? I seem to recall you've had a few retard threads.

How is this a troll thread?

Deadbeat · 14 Aug 2011 at 23:29

A wizard does it

batsy · 14 Aug 2011 at 23:31

kylew said:
My limited understanding is that the radiation destablises the structure of cells and causes them to mutate in some way. That's where the deformities come from. I think it does do the same to trees and other things too.

must be a first for GD

para08 · 14 Aug 2011 at 23:42

The last I remember reading about Chernobyl it said how all the plant life, soil, water, pretty much everything was affected by the radiation. So yeah it's not somewhere you wanna take a stroll.

Salsa · 14 Aug 2011 at 23:44

All depends on the type of radiation too. Alpha particles emitted as a proton neutron pair has substantial mass and can physically damage the atomic structure of tissues they come into contact with. Similarly beta decay emits electrons which can alter the atomic structure of the tissue. Gamma radiation is emitted as photons or electromagnetic radiation and causes excitation of the nucleus of atoms within tissues. If any of the damage occurs to DNA base pairs as explained above then the cells cannot replicate properly and mutations occur.

Interestingly different radioisotopes will affect different tissues more severely than others. Iodene will attack the thyroid glands for instance.

The idea that if you see a mushroom cloud you can kiss your ass goodbye is not quite true and a lot more complex. Things such as radioisotopes emitted, blast size, weather conditions etc all come into play.

I'll am hoping to make a trip to "the zone" next year with uni and am not particuarly worried that I will begin to glow in the dark or turn into the hulk. Radiation is safe if you know and understand the risks

TheYoungster · 14 Aug 2011 at 23:48

i think of it as a virus that corrupts files

Aod · 14 Aug 2011 at 23:52

Salsa said:
I'll am hoping to make a trip to "the zone" next year with uni

Whoah! nice! which uni and what course are you on?

compboyo · 15 Aug 2011 at 00:18

Art said:
Deinococcus radiodurans is a very interesting radiation-resistant microorganism, and going by the data on it's wiki page, you'd need to be stuck under it for about 5,000 times the normal exposure length before you'd get a lethal dose.

A shorter time would probably still have nasty side effects though.

EDIT: Those numbers are for chest X-ray machines. Aside from that, take a look at the acute radiation poisoning page.

So if I smother my body with Deinococcus radiodurans I will be protected against RADS? lol

Aod · 15 Aug 2011 at 00:56

compboyo said:
So if I smother my body with Deinococcus radiodurans I will be protected against RADS? lol

unfortunately not. the Bacteria will laugh at you as the radiation passes straight through them and kills you

a nice lead-lined suit is a much better approach

kylew · 15 Aug 2011 at 00:59

Moses said:
Troll account, right? I seem to recall you've had a few retard threads.

I don't understand how you've concluded this is trolling, and how the question is retarded. :confused:

wildman · 15 Aug 2011 at 01:12

Deadbeat said:
A wizard does it

while wearing a robe and wizard hat ?

compboyo · 15 Aug 2011 at 01:18

Aod said:
unfortunately not. the Bacteria will laugh at you as the radiation passes straight through them and kills you

a nice lead-lined suit is a much better approach

Lead blocks all radiation?

Aod · 15 Aug 2011 at 01:30

compboyo said:
Lead blocks all radiation?

enough of it does, yes.

Zefan · 15 Aug 2011 at 01:43

Some of the stuff I work with kicks out a fair bit of radiation. Rumour has it that blokes who work on it only ever have girls.

compboyo · 15 Aug 2011 at 02:03

dont we get radiated by our tv and pc etc every day

I sit right next to a 40 incher lol

But I think CRT was much worse than LCD for emitting radaiton?

asim18 · 15 Aug 2011 at 02:10

compboyo said:
dont we get radiated by our tv and pc etc every day

I sit right next to a 40 incher lol

But I think CRT was much worse than LCD for emitting radaiton?

Household objects emit non-ionising/electromagnetic radiation, such as visible light and radio waves. This kind of radiation doesn't have a detrimental effect on living tissue.

compboyo · 15 Aug 2011 at 03:06

not increase cancer risks or cell damages? Worsen eyes? lol

Aod · 15 Aug 2011 at 03:38

asim18 said:
Household objects emit non-ionising/electromagnetic radiation, such as visible light and radio waves. This kind of radiation doesn't have a detrimental effect on living tissue.

Actually old CRT's used to emit more than a little Beta radiation due to their nature.

LCDs and the rest of computers emit no ionising radiation whatsoever.