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| energy traveling through space; exists in varying forms characterized by differences in wavelength and energy content. |
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| cancer of squamous cells; accounts for about 20% of all skin cancers and occurs in some some other epithelial tissues as well. |
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| electromagnetic radiation |
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Definition
| waves of electric and magnetic fields propagated through space at the speed of light. |
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| portioin of the UV spectrum whose wavelength falls between 315 and 400 nm; the predominant form of ultraviolet light to reach the earth. |
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| gas composed of three oxygen atoms that is present in the upper atmosphere, where it absorbs much of the harmful ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun. |
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| portion of the UV spectrum whose wavelength falls between 100 and 280 nm; can cause severe burns but is absorbed by the upper layers of the atmosphere before reaching the earth. |
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| tumor suppressor gene that codes for the p53 protein, a transcription factor involved in preventing genetically damaged cells from proliferating; most frequently mutated genes in human cancers; also called the TP53 gene in humans. |
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| substance that protects the skin against sunburn y absorbing or blocking the penetration of ultraviolet radiation. |
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| high-energy forms of radiation that remove electrons from molecules, thereby generating highly reactive ions that cause DNA damage; includes X-rays and radiation emitted by radioactive elements. |
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| spontaneous decay of an unstable atomic nucleus accompanied by the emission of alpha, beta, or gamma radiation. |
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| type of nuclear radiation composed of positivly charged particles containing two neutrons plus two protons. |
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| type of nuclear radiation consisting of electromagnetic waves with a wavelength shorter than that of X-rays. |
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| relative biological effectiveness (RBE) |
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Definition
| correction factor that is multiplied by the absorbed dose of radiation (measured in grays) to obtain the biologically equivalent dose (measured in sieverts). |
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| radioactive gas produced from the spontaneous breakdown of radium found in underground rock formation; can accumulate in poorly ventilated buildings and cause lung cancer. |
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| radioactive element that resembles calcium in some of its chemical properties. |
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| BERT (Background Equivalent Radiation Time) |
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Definition
| unit of measurement that converts a given dose of ionizing radiation into the amount of time it would take a person to receive that same dose from natural sources of background radiation. |
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| ELF (Extremely Low Frequency) |
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Definition
| electric and magnetic fields, emitted by high-voltage power lines, that represent the low-energy end of the radiofrequency region of the electromagnetic spectrum. |
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