What happen when a beta particle strikes a living cell?

Answer 1

A Beta particle is essentially an electron (or positron) traveling at substantial speed. When a beta particle strikes a living cell, it interacts with the molecules making up the cell and creates one or more ion pairs by causing outer electrons to leave the molecule and making the molecule positively charged, while the released electron is negatively charged. Ionized molecules take part in different chemical reactions than do similar molecules that are electrically neutral. As a result of the ionization, exotic chemical reactions take place in the effected cell. These reactions may interfere with cell metabolism or with cell DNA (affecting or preventing cell division). Cells have a limited ability to repair the damage caused by this process, but if enough damage is inflicted fast enough, the cell may be damaged or killed. If enough cells are damaged or killed in one organ, the organ may be damaged.