Final answer:
A given amount of radiation is generally less harmful to insects than to humans, as simpler organisms like insects can tolerate larger doses. Studies have shown varying effects of radiation on different organisms, with humans being more vulnerable than insects. The exact impact of low-level radiation on humans is still under study, but the linear hypothesis is currently favored in safety regulations.
Step-by-step explanation:
A given amount of radiation will generally be less harmful to simpler organisms such as insects compared to more complex organisms like humans. This is because simpler organisms can tolerate larger doses of radiation. Food irradiation processes, for example, involve radiation doses much higher than what would be fatal to humans because they aim to destroy organisms such as bacteria and insects. Specifically, doses around 10,000 Gy are needed to kill certain microbes, and these are far higher than doses that would be considered safe for humans. While the exact threshold and effect of low-level radiation exposure on humans continue to be debated among scientists, the consensus is that humans cannot withstand as much radiation as simpler organisms can.
Hormesis is one concept suggesting that low levels of radiation may help certain repair mechanisms in humans, but the linear hypothesis predominates in regulations, assuming all exposure to radiation is harmful. Long-term exposure studies have shown differing effects of radiation on genetic defects in mice versus fruit flies, with mice showing fewer defects at low doses, potentially indicating a similar response in humans due to biochemical similarities. However, it's important to note that the precise model applicable to human exposure is still uncertain.