What is the primary difference between somatic and genetic effects of radiation?

• A. Somatic effects affect offspring; genetic effects affect the irradiated person
• B. Genetic effects affect the irradiated person; somatic affects offspring
• C. Both effects affect the irradiated person
• D. Somatic effects affect the exposed individual; genetic effects affect offspring

Answer: (D)

Somatic effects are changes that occur in the person who receives the radiation and are seen in that individual’s tissues and organs, such as skin reddening, hair loss, cataracts, radiation sickness, or cancer risk. These effects may appear after exposure and do not get passed on to future generations.

Genetic effects arise from changes in the germ cells—sperm or eggs—of the irradiated person. These mutations can be inherited by offspring, potentially affecting future generations with congenital abnormalities or heritable diseases, even if the irradiated person shows no or few immediate symptoms.

So the main difference is who is affected and whether the effect can be transmitted to offspring: somatic effects affect the exposed person, genetic effects affect the person’s children.