The wavelength of ultraviolet radiations which is most powerful and causes damage to the DNA is _____.
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A.
UV-C
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B.
UV-B
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C.
UV-D
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D.
UV-A
Correct Answer:
B. UV-B
Explanation:
The correct answer is UV-C. Ultraviolet radiation is categorized by wavelength, and UV-C (100–280 nm) possesses the highest energy, making it the most dangerous to biological systems. While the Earth's ozone layer effectively absorbs most solar UV-C before it reaches the surface, this specific range is most efficiently absorbed by DNA, with a peak absorption at approximately 260 nm. This interaction leads to severe molecular damage, such as the formation of pyrimidine dimers that distort the DNA double helix and obstruct vital processes like replication and transcription. In laboratory settings, UV-C is frequently used for sterilization because of its lethal ability to destroy microbial genetic material. In contrast, UV-B and UV-A have longer wavelengths and lower energy levels, which, while still harmful and linked to skin cancers, are less inherently destructive than the high-energy photons of UV-C.
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