Ionizing radiation could lead to which of the following outcomes?

Ionizing radiation interacts with biological tissues in various ways, leading to a range of potential outcomes. Each of the outcomes listed—passing through a cell without damage, killing the cell, and causing permanent changes in tissue—can occur depending on several factors, including the type and energy of the radiation, the exposure time, and the sensitivity of the biological tissues involved.

Passing through a cell without damage can happen if the radiation does not impart enough energy to disrupt cellular structures or DNA. This is particularly common with low doses of radiation or when the radiation path does not intersect with critical cellular components.

Killing the cell is another potential outcome. Ionizing radiation can cause significant damage to DNA, leading to cell death either directly through the impossible repair of severe damage or indirectly by triggering cellular pathways that activate programmed cell death (apoptosis). Higher doses of radiation are more likely to result in cell death.

Permanent changes in tissue, often referred to as deterministic effects, can occur when the radiation causes lasting alterations in cellular function or structure. This is particularly apparent at higher levels of exposure, where radiation can lead to mutations, tissue necrosis, or even cancer over time as a result of DNA damage.

Since any of these outcomes can happen due to the effects of ion