Two radiations were examined For radiation type A the D37 fo

Two radiations were examined, For radiation type \"A\", the D37 for cell survival (measured with oxygen present in the system) was 2 Gy. Under the same circumstances, radiation type \"B\" required only 1 Gy for the same result. The experiment was repeated using hypoxic conditions. For radiation type \"A\" the D37 was 6 Gy, and for type \"B\" it was 1.5 Gy, What single factor is likely responsible for the different cell survival D37 values of radiation A and B?

Solution

The single factor likely to be responsible for different cell survival D37 values of radiation A and B is energy. More energy present in ray more damage it causes to the tissues. A is weaker ray than B. If they are ionizing, then A may have more mass and less charge than B. So needed at higher doses to cause the same damage. Sometimes in hypoxic condition some cells become more resistant to radiations and that is why in second case both A and B have higher Gy values.