Answer:
Free radicals.
Explanation:
X-ray as an example of ionizing radiation.Like any ionizing radiation it produces free radicals and reactive oxygen species when it interacts with biomolecules e.g (DNA) in cells and tissues. Free radicals are atoms with unpaired lone of electrons in outermost shells. They are therefore very reactive and always looking for an unpaired lone of electron to complete the outer shell. Thus radicals can be positive, negative or neutral in charges.
When an individual is exposed to X-ray radiation, hydroxyl free radicals,superoxide free radicals are produced .These radicals are damaging to DNA and cells.
E.g; the <u>hydroxyl radicals</u> attacks the hydrogen atoms of the deoxyribose sugar, disrupted the ring structure and therefore the DNA structure leading to mutation.
Other radicals reaction involved addition reaction of the free radicals to the Carbon atom in the sugar molecules ,and also addition reaction on the organic bases in DNA molecules, damaging the molecules.