When an x-ray photon is absorbed in a tumor, it may cause the tumor cell to die because the photon
A) causes the cell to crystallize into a brittle solid that cannot tolerate any deformation.
B) carries enough energy to damage molecules and cause chemical injury to the cell.
C) magnetizes the cell and causes it to stick to passing killer cells of the immune system.
D) polarizes the cell and causes its vertical electric field to become horizontal.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

X-ray photons carry enough energy to ionize molecules and damage the DNA within cells, leading to chemical injury and potentially causing the cell to die. This is the principle behind using radiation therapy to treat cancer.

When an X-Ray Photon Is Absorbed in a Tumor, It