Ultraviolet light is a form of radiation that is capable of "[changing] the structure of skin cells" (Center for Disease Control). Ultraviolet light acts as a sterilizing agent in that it can cause viruses to fall apart by "[smashing] their genetic material [therefore making" them unable to replicate" (Preston, 67). Ultraviolet light is capable of doing the same thing to small, vulnerable bacteria, causing them to die and making the surface or anything it was previously attached to sterile and free of life forms.
• Preston, R. (1995). The Hot Zone. New York, New York: Random House. • UV Radiation. (2014, August 13). Retrieved April 19, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/uvradiation/
Ultraviolet light affects DNA molecules the most, as they are vulnerable to absorbing it. As a result, the DNA molecule’s shape changes and proteins such as DNA synthase would be unable to read the DNA code, causing cells to die or be burdened with abnormal protein development (Allen, 2001). This may also apply to viruses because although they aren’t considered to be “living organisms’, viruses contain DNA (sometimes RNA). What keeps viruses going mechanically is the DNA inside their protein bodies. Ultraviolet light can destroy the DNA and ultimately obliterate the virus upon contact, making them sterile (unable to reproduce).
• Allen, J. (2001, September 6). Ultraviolet Radiation: How It Affects Life on Earth. Retrieved April 20, 2015, from http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/UVB
First post revised: Ultraviolet light is a form of radiation that is capable of "[changing] the structure of skin cells" (Center for Disease Control). Ultraviolet light acts as a sterilizing agent in that it can cause viruses to fall apart by "[smashing] their genetic material [therefore making] them unable to replicate" (Preston, 67). Viruses are not considered alive but they can reproduce as long as they inhabit a host. If they can’t reproduce, then they won’t be able to be transmitted to other hosts and they can be obliterated from the current host that they plague. Ultraviolet light is capable of doing the same thing to small, vulnerable bacteria, causing them to die and making the surface or anything it was previously attached to sterile and free of life forms. Using UV radiation to sterilize living organisms, however, is dangerous if not fatal. It would kill off the bacteria or virus in the organism, but it would also affect the cells on the skin or the organism being sterilized or cleansed. Most of the time, direct or frequent exposure to ultraviolet light can cause skin cancer in many organisms, so it would be best to stick to sterilizing tools with ultraviolet radiation, not living things.
• Preston, R. (1995). The Hot Zone. New York, New York: Random House. • UV Radiation. (2014, August 13). Retrieved April 19, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/uvradiation/
Hanna is correct in describing what the UV light is. A UV light destroys viruses and they cause the viruses to not have the ability to reproduce (Preston, 1994, 67). The virus would not be able to move to a different host unless the virus was able to escape the radiation of the UV light which is almost impossible. UV light is very strong and can cause a huge problem with the DNA; it has been used to conduct a lot of experiments and to find information out based on viruses and what they can do. UV light kills cells and damages the DNA especially with Thymine; the bonds stop from being formed and joined together. It can be very harmful to humans especially when under it for a long amount of time.
Ultraviolet light is a form of radiation that is capable of "[changing] the structure of skin cells" (Center for Disease Control). Ultraviolet light acts as a sterilizing agent in that it can cause viruses to fall apart by "[smashing] their genetic material [therefore making" them unable to replicate" (Preston, 67). Ultraviolet light is capable of doing the same thing to small, vulnerable bacteria, causing them to die and making the surface or anything it was previously attached to sterile and free of life forms.
ReplyDelete• Preston, R. (1995). The Hot Zone. New York, New York: Random House.
• UV Radiation. (2014, August 13). Retrieved April 19, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/uvradiation/
What exactly does ultraviolet light destroy in living things? Why might this apply to viruses as well?
DeleteUltraviolet light affects DNA molecules the most, as they are vulnerable to absorbing it. As a result, the DNA molecule’s shape changes and proteins such as DNA synthase would be unable to read the DNA code, causing cells to die or be burdened with abnormal protein development (Allen, 2001). This may also apply to viruses because although they aren’t considered to be “living organisms’, viruses contain DNA (sometimes RNA). What keeps viruses going mechanically is the DNA inside their protein bodies. Ultraviolet light can destroy the DNA and ultimately obliterate the virus upon contact, making them sterile (unable to reproduce).
Delete• Allen, J. (2001, September 6). Ultraviolet Radiation: How It Affects Life on Earth. Retrieved April 20, 2015, from http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/UVB
First post revised:
DeleteUltraviolet light is a form of radiation that is capable of "[changing] the structure of skin cells" (Center for Disease Control). Ultraviolet light acts as a sterilizing agent in that it can cause viruses to fall apart by "[smashing] their genetic material [therefore making] them unable to replicate" (Preston, 67). Viruses are not considered alive but they can reproduce as long as they inhabit a host. If they can’t reproduce, then they won’t be able to be transmitted to other hosts and they can be obliterated from the current host that they plague. Ultraviolet light is capable of doing the same thing to small, vulnerable bacteria, causing them to die and making the surface or anything it was previously attached to sterile and free of life forms. Using UV radiation to sterilize living organisms, however, is dangerous if not fatal. It would kill off the bacteria or virus in the organism, but it would also affect the cells on the skin or the organism being sterilized or cleansed. Most of the time, direct or frequent exposure to ultraviolet light can cause skin cancer in many organisms, so it would be best to stick to sterilizing tools with ultraviolet radiation, not living things.
• Preston, R. (1995). The Hot Zone. New York, New York: Random House.
• UV Radiation. (2014, August 13). Retrieved April 19, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/uvradiation/
Hanna is correct in describing what the UV light is. A UV light destroys viruses and they cause the viruses to not have the ability to reproduce (Preston, 1994, 67). The virus would not be able to move to a different host unless the virus was able to escape the radiation of the UV light which is almost impossible. UV light is very strong and can cause a huge problem with the DNA; it has been used to conduct a lot of experiments and to find information out based on viruses and what they can do. UV light kills cells and damages the DNA especially with Thymine; the bonds stop from being formed and joined together. It can be very harmful to humans especially when under it for a long amount of time.
ReplyDelete