What 4 things could happen when radiation hits a cell?

• A. Nothing happens
• B. Damages, but the cell can repair
• C. Damages, can't repair and passes mutation on
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

When radiation hits a cell, several outcomes are possible, depending on how much energy was deposited and how well the cell can repair DNA. Sometimes nothing observable happens and the cell suffers no lasting effect. More often, radiation causes damage that the cell can repair, leaving no mutation or disease risk. If the damage cannot be repaired properly, mutations can result and may be passed on when the cell divides. In some cases the damage is so severe that the cell dies. Because all of these scenarios can occur, selecting “All of the above” is correct. This reflects that radiation effects range from no effect to repairable damage to irreparable damage with mutation, and sometimes cell death, all depending on exposure and cellular repair capacity.