Australian Dental Council (ADC) Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The scenario where a specified dose of radiation is delivered all at once is likely to lead to greater overall cellular damage because high doses of radiation, when received in a single exposure, can overwhelm the cellular repair mechanisms. When tissues are exposed to a significant amount of radiation in a short timeframe, the immediate, intense ionization in cells can cause severe damage to DNA and other critical cellular components. This can result in a higher likelihood of cell death, mutations, or malignant transformations due to the inability of cells to effectively repair the extensive damage caused by that sudden high exposure.

In contrast, administering a lower dose over a longer period allows for more gradual exposure, giving cells time to repair some of the damage before additional radiation is received. Similarly, the use of multiple radiation techniques may distribute doses in a way that can either mitigate damage or target specific areas more effectively, potentially leading to less overall cellular harm. Finally, administering a dose with protective agents generally provides some level of safeguard against cellular damage, enhancing the ability of cells to withstand exposure to radiation.