What is the term used to represent the biological effect of radiation on human tissue?

The term that represents the biological effect of radiation on human tissue is measured in Sieverts. The Sievert is a derived unit used in the International System of Units (SI) to quantify the biological effects of ionizing radiation. It takes into account not only the physical dose of radiation received (measured in grays) but also the type of radiation and its impact on human health.

For instance, different types of radiation (such as alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays) have different effects on tissue and cells. The Sievert provides a way to express these effects in a way that correlates with potential health risks, making it essential for assessing exposure from various sources of radiation in a meaningful way.

In comparison, the gray measures the amount of radiation energy absorbed by a material but does not account for the biological consequences of that radiation. The becquerel refers to the activity of a radioactive source, indicating the number of nuclear decays per second, while kerma (kinetic energy released per unit mass) is related to the energy transferred to matter from radiation but does not reflect the overall biological impact on tissues.