Incomplete or incorrect cell repair following damage caused by exposure to radiation may result in which one?

Incomplete or incorrect cell repair following damage caused by exposure to radiation may result in which one?

• A. Cell mutation
• B. Cell death
• C. Carcinogenesis
• D. Damages cell becomes radioactive

Answer: (A)

When radiation injures DNA, the cell relies on repair systems to fix the breaks. If the repair is incomplete or incorrect, a permanent change in the genetic sequence remains—that’s a mutation. This mutation can alter how a gene functions, potentially changing protein production or cell-cycle control, which is the direct result of faulty repair. While accumulating mutations can set the stage for cancer development (carcinogenesis) over time, the immediate consequence of incomplete repair is a mutation. Death can occur if damage is so severe that repair is impossible, but the question asks about the outcome of repair that is not completed correctly, not about outright cell death. The idea that a damaged cell becomes radioactive isn’t a valid outcome in this context.

When radiation injures DNA, the cell relies on repair systems to fix the breaks. If the repair is incomplete or incorrect, a permanent change in the genetic sequence remains—that’s a mutation. This mutation can alter how a gene functions, potentially changing protein production or cell-cycle control, which is the direct result of faulty repair. While accumulating mutations can set the stage for cancer development (carcinogenesis) over time, the immediate consequence of incomplete repair is a mutation. Death can occur if damage is so severe that repair is impossible, but the question asks about the outcome of repair that is not completed correctly, not about outright cell death. The idea that a damaged cell becomes radioactive isn’t a valid outcome in this context.