Which type of radiation has the potential to change DNA structure?

X-rays are a form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation that possess sufficient energy to penetrate biological tissues. This type of radiation is classified as ionizing radiation, meaning it has enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, thus creating ions. When X-rays interact with biological molecules, they can cause direct damage to the DNA by breaking chemical bonds or indirectly by generating free radicals that can subsequently lead to alterations in the DNA structure.

X-rays are used in various medical imaging procedures due to their ability to reveal internal structures of the body, but their ionizing nature also necessitates careful consideration of exposure limits to minimize the risk of potential DNA damage and associated risks, such as cancer.

In contrast, non-ionizing radiation, which includes forms such as microwaves and infrared radiation, lacks the energy to ionize atoms or molecules and therefore is not associated with significant changes to DNA structure. Similarly, radio waves and visible light are also forms of non-ionizing radiation and do not have the energy necessary to affect DNA. Thus, only X-rays have the potential to directly modify DNA structure due to their ionizing characteristics.