Question

Ultraviolet radiation and radiation of shorter wavelengths can damaage biologival molecules because these kinds of radiation carry enough energy

A) True
B) False

Answer 1

The statement is true; ultraviolet radiation and radiation of shorter wavelengths can indeed damage biological molecules by breaking chemical bonds, with UV radiation having enough energy to damage DNA and lead to conditions like skin cancer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that ultraviolet radiation and radiation of shorter wavelengths can damage biological molecules is true. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation carries more energy than visible light and can cause significant damage at the cellular level by breaking chemical bonds. There are different types of UV radiation, notably UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C, with UV-B and UV-C being particularly harmful. UV-B radiation can cause skin cancers and cataracts because it can damage DNA by forming bonds between adjacent pyrimidine nucleotides, such as thymine and cytosine. On the other hand, UV-C radiation is mostly absorbed by the Earth's ozone layer and thus does not reach the surface in significant quantities. Ionizing radiation, to which UV radiation can be compared, is even more destructive as it can ionize water molecules in living organisms leading to the formation of highly reactive particles that can further damage biological molecules.

Answer 2

Ultraviolet radiation can indeed damage biological molecules due to its higher energy compared to visible light, which is true. It can break chemical bonds in DNA, potentially leading to mutations and cell damage, and is absorbed differently by various layers of Earth's atmosphere.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement Ultraviolet radiation and radiation of shorter wavelengths can damage biological molecules is True (A). Ultraviolet (UV) light has more energy than visible light due to its shorter wavelength, and it is capable of breaking molecular bonds, particularly in biological molecules. For instance, UV radiation can damage deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), leading to mutations that may result in skin cancer or other harmful effects. The Earth's ozone layer provides some protection by absorbing the most energetic UV-C radiation, but UV-B radiation can still reach the Earth's surface and cause damage to living organisms. In contrast, option D is incorrect; UV light carries more energy than visible light and can cause damage when absorbed by cells.

Ionizing UV radiation has enough energy to eject electrons from atoms or molecules, thus ionizing them and leading to significant biological damage. This process can disrupt the structure and function of molecules like DNA. Moreover, ionizing radiation can cause indirect damage by ionizing water molecules within cells, leading to the formation of highly reactive particles that can further damage cellular components.