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Biophysics & Radiation

The electromagnetic spectrum is made up of different types of wavelengths, some of which include radio waves, visible light waves, ultraviolet rays and gamma rays. These wavelengths differ in their lengths and intensities. Radiation waves are found within the shorter wavelengths on the spectrum. The biophysics of radiation examines the effects of these waves on living organisms.

  1. Identification

    • The short wavelengths that make up radiation waves account for the effects they have on living matter. In general, the shorter the wave the more energy contained inside them, according to the NASA Earth Observatory. As radiation contains high concentrations of energy, it can cause considerable harm to living organisms. Radiation waves are strong enough to pass through living and nonliving materials. When this happens, they can potentially disrupt the molecular structure of cells and tissues.

    Biophysics

    • Biophysics is a branch of science that uses principles from physics, chemistry and biology to understand the molecular workings that go on inside living tissue, according to the Biophysical Society, a biophysics resource site. Areas of study include molecules, cells and tissues as well as the larger organ-type structures they become. Biophysics also works to measure these structures and uses mathematical analysis and computer modeling to understand how they work. Radiation biophysics is a branch of science that deals specifically with the effects of radiation on living organisms.

    Radiation Types

    • Radiation wavelengths come in two types: ionizing and nonionizing, according to RadiationAnswers.org. Ionizing radiation comes in the form of x-rays, gamma rays and heavily charged ions. Ionizing waves can cause molecules to become unstable inside living tissue. This is an electrical instability that can throw off basic biological processes. Nonionizing radiation comes in the form of ultraviolet rays from the sun, microwaves and extra-low frequency waves. Nonionizing waves can disrupt the molecular structures that make up living tissue. This can result in cell mutations and even cell death.

    DNA Effects

    • Both ionizing and nonionizing radiation waves can potentially affect how cellular DNA molecules behave, according to the NASA Earth Observatory. Biophysical effects can take the form of altered DNA activities that produce weakened cell structures. DNA-reproduction activities can also be altered to the point where new cells take on mutant characteristics such as occurs with cancer cell formations. The amount of damage may depend on how intense the radiation waves are and which area of the organism or body is affected.

    Radiation Therapy

    • The same damaging effects of radiation on cellular activities are put to good use through radiation-therapy treatments for cancer growths in the body. Radiation therapy is a common treatment for cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Cancer cells are known for their rapid reproduction rates within the body. The biophysical effects of radiation on cell DNA activity works to damage DNA molecules within cancer cells. In so doing, these cells stop reproducing and eventually die off.

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