What happens if you are exposed to too much of X Rays and Gamma rays?

Question

What happens if you are exposed to too much of X Rays and Gamma rays?

Answer 1

X rays and gamma rays (as well as ultraviolet rays) have enough energy to damage the DNA in a person's cells by breaking chemical bonds.  In most cases, the cell can repair the damage with special repair enzymes.

If the damage is too extensive or irreparable, however, a couple things can happen.  Generally, cells recognize the damage and undergo apoptosis, meaning that they destroy themselves to prevent bad things from happening to them and  their neighboring cells.  This is what happens when a person's skin peels after a sunburn.  If, however, the X rays or gamma rays damage parts of the genome that regulate DNA repair or the cell cycle and cell division, it is possible for cancer to develop.  This is why extreme levels of sun exposure can lead to skin cancer.

Any exposure to this high energy ionizing radiation has the potential to cause cell death or cancer, but the body is typically very good at performing damage control.  However, a large amount of exposure only increases the chances for DNA damage, which increases the likelihood of repair mistakes and their consequences.  And because X rays and gamma rays penetrate farther than ultraviolet rays, many more types of tissues can be damaged.

Answer 2

A little too much -- sickness and genetic mutation

A little more too much --severe sickness  and destruction of gametes.

A lot too much -- agonizing sickness and death.

The human body is not equipped to detect X and Gamma radiation, so you can literally become a "walking dead man".and not be aware of it for hours.

Answer 3

Any amount (other than medical diagnostic amounts) is too much.  Result (eventually)...long, slow, painful death.

-Fred