What is depicted by a "cell survival curve"?

A cell survival curve is a graphical representation that illustrates the relationship between the dose of radiation and the proportion of cells that survive after exposure. As the radiation dose increases, the likelihood of cell survival generally decreases. This curve is crucial in radiation biology and oncology, as it helps researchers and clinicians understand the effects of radiation on different types of cells, including cancer cells. The steepness and shape of the curve can provide insights into the radiosensitivity of specific cell populations, which is essential for developing effective radiation therapies and predicting treatment outcomes.

The other options focus on aspects like cell size, growth rate, or radiation absorption, which do not directly relate to how cells respond to radiation exposure in terms of survival. Such factors may be relevant in other contexts but do not define the purpose of a cell survival curve in radiation biology.