When ionizing radiation interacts with biological molecules, what is a potential result?

When ionizing radiation interacts with biological molecules, the formation of free radicals is a significant and common outcome. Ionizing radiation has enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, leading to the production of highly reactive species known as free radicals. These free radicals can cause damage to various cellular components such as DNA, proteins, and lipids. The presence of free radicals can initiate a cascade of biological responses that may result in cellular damage or cell death, contributing to the overall effects of radiation exposure.

The other outcomes mentioned, such as increased cell viability, altered cellular metabolism, and enhanced gene expression, do not directly relate to the primary impact of ionizing radiation on biological molecules. In contrast, the generation of free radicals is a well-documented consequence of radiation exposure that underlies many of the biological effects observed in radiation biology.