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Definition
| A nonmitotic, or nondivision, form of cell death that occurs when cells die without attempting division during the interphase portion of the cell life cycle is term apoptosis, or programmed cell death. |
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Definition
| A classic method of displaying the sensitivity of a particular type of cell to radiation. It is constructed from data obtained by a series of experiments. |
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Definition
| With a double-strand break in the same rung of the DNA ladder-like structure, complete chromosome breakage occurs. Repair enzymes are not effective at undoing this damage, and hence cell death will most likely follow. |
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Definition
| Biologic damage occurs as a result of ionization of atoms on essential molecules produced by straight interaction with the incident radiation. |
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Definition
| Indirect action is always a multistage process that first involves the production of free radicals that are created by the interaction of the radiation with water molecules. |
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Term
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Definition
| When low-LET radiation interacts with biologic tissue, it causes damage to a cell primarily through an indirect action that involves the production of free radicals. These are solitary atoms that behave as single entities and are very chemically reactive as a result of the presence of unpaired valence electrons. |
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Term
| Law of Bergonie and Tribondeau |
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Definition
| It states that the radiosensitivity of cells is directly proportional to their reproductive activity and inversely proportional to their degree of differentiation. |
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Term
| Linear energy transfer (LET) |
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Definition
| The average energy deposited per unit length of track. LET is generally described in units of kiloelectron volts (keV) per micron. |
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Term
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Definition
| Because the genetic information to be passed on to future generations is contained in the strict sequence of these bases, the loss or change of a base in the DNA chain represents a mutation. |
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Term
| Oxygen enhancement ratio (OER) |
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Definition
| The OER is the ratio of the radiation dose required to cause a particular biologic response of cells or organisms in an oxygen-deprived environment to the radiation dose required to cause an identical response under normal oxygenated conditions. |
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Term
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Definition
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Term
| Radiation weighting factor (WR) |
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Definition
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Term
| Relative biologic effectiveness (RBE) |
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Definition
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Definition
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Definition
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Definition
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Term
| Radiation energy transfer determinants |
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Definition
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Term
| Radiation categories according to linear energy transfer |
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Definition
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Term
| Ionization of water molecules |
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Definition
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Term
| Effects of ionizing radiation on DNA |
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Definition
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