Radiation

Radiation, specifically ionizing radiation, is a physical agent capable of depositing enough energy in biological tissues to ionize atoms and molecules, causing direct and indirect molecular damage. This leads to DNA strand breaks, oxidation of proteins, and lipid peroxidation, which can result in cell death, mutations, cancer, or organ dysfunction. High doses of radiation cause acute tissue and organ injury (deterministic effects), while lower doses increase the probability of stochastic effects such as cancer and heritable mutations. Radiation interacts predominantly through the generation of free radicals, especially via the radiolysis of cellular water, initiating cascades of oxidative damage. It impacts rapidly dividing cells more severely and is used therapeutically in controlled doses for cancer treatment (radiotherapy). However, it is not a molecular drug target itself but a method of physical intervention or environmental hazard[1][3][5][7].

Other names

Ionizing radiationElectromagnetic radiationNon-ionizing radiation

DNA damage (double- and single-strand breaks), Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), Lipid peroxidation, Protein modification, Induction of apoptosis, necrosis, or senescence[1][5]