A veterinary laboratory examines two areas of tissue from an animal after exposure to ionising radiation. In area P, many cells have died. In area Q, some cells survived with altered DNA. A student concludes that only area P could have a lasting effect.
Which statement about the student's conclusion is correct?
The conclusion is incorrect: dead cells may pass on altered DNA, whereas surviving cells may cause tissue damage if their DNA is repaired.
The conclusion is correct: tissue damage may follow cell death, whereas altered DNA in surviving cells may affect only the exposed area and not cell division.
The conclusion is correct: many dead cells may damage tissue, whereas altered DNA in surviving cells may be repaired without further effects.
The conclusion is incorrect: many dead cells may damage tissue, and surviving cells with altered DNA may divide uncontrollably and form a tumour, but this is not certain.
97 exam-style questions on Edexcel GCSE Physics 6.5 Uses and dangers of radioactivity, covering 6.5.1 Uses of radioactivity, 6.5.2 Dangers of ionising radiation and precautions, 6.5.3 Half-life and radiation dangers, 6.5.4 Safety precautions for radiation exposure, and 6.5.5 Contamination and irradiation. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.