Why is indirect effect more likely to cause cell damage?

Why is indirect effect more likely to cause cell damage?

• A. Because the nucleus is larger
• B. Because mitochondria are more sensitive
• C. Because the cytoplasm is larger
• D. Because the cell membrane absorbs more energy

Answer: (C)

Indirect damage from radiation comes from radiolysis of water inside the cell, producing free radicals that diffuse and attack vital biomolecules. Most of a cell’s water—and thus the site for radical production—resides in the cytoplasm. If the cytoplasm is larger, there is more water available to be hit, creating more free radicals and increasing the chance that these radicals damage critical targets like DNA and membranes. The nucleus isn’t the source of the radicals here; it’s the abundant cytoplasmic water that drives the indirect effect. Mitochondria’s sensitivity and the cell membrane’s energy absorption aren’t the primary drivers of this indirect pathway, so they don’t explain why a larger cytoplasm leads to more indirect damage.

Indirect damage from radiation comes from radiolysis of water inside the cell, producing free radicals that diffuse and attack vital biomolecules. Most of a cell’s water—and thus the site for radical production—resides in the cytoplasm. If the cytoplasm is larger, there is more water available to be hit, creating more free radicals and increasing the chance that these radicals damage critical targets like DNA and membranes. The nucleus isn’t the source of the radicals here; it’s the abundant cytoplasmic water that drives the indirect effect. Mitochondria’s sensitivity and the cell membrane’s energy absorption aren’t the primary drivers of this indirect pathway, so they don’t explain why a larger cytoplasm leads to more indirect damage.