Chapter 5: Radioactivity

Group members:
1)Chia SzeYee
2)Chu Chia Yu
3)Jazleen Karla
4)Jacelyn Kong Yee Ting
 Radioactive substances give out radiations which are
harmful to living things.This is due to the ionisation and
penetrating properties of these radiations.
 As the radiations pass through living cells,they ionise
the neighbouring atoms or molecules.This reactive ions
produced will
a)interfere with the chemical processes in the cell
b)induce mutations in the genetic structure of the cell
 At the same time,the radiations might kill the cells in
the body tissues.If too many cells are killed,the
organism dies.
 Dosage and exposure time

1.Exposure to high dosages of radiation in a short

period of time results in immediate symptoms
such as vomitting,increase in body
temperature,change in the blood composition,etc.

2.Continuous exposure to intermediate dosages of

radiation causes symptoms that appear after a few
years such as cancer,infertility,cataract,etc.
 Exposure of different parts of the body
Actively dividing cells are more vulnarable to
radiations.Generally,skin cells can withstand a
higher dosage of radiation compared to the other
internal organs.
 Methods of insertion into body
Alpha particles that enter the body through food
or breathing cause more damage from the inside
due to its high ionising effect.
 Types of radiation
1.Alpha particles outside the body are harmless
because they can be stopped by the human skin.
2.Beta particles are more harmful because they
have higher penetrating power.
3.Gamma rays are the most harmful as they can
penetrate deep into the skin and inflict damage
onto the celld.
 Somatic effects
• Damage to all parts of the body
except the reproductive organs.
• Symptoms:fatigue,vomitting,hair
loss,infertility in male,severe skin
burn,leukemia and cataracts.
Genetic effects
• Damage to reproductive cells
• Genetic defect can be passed
down to the next generations.
• Examples:Down
Syndrome,Klinefelter
Syndrome,Turner Syndrome