What biological effects can neutrons have?

Neutrons can have significant biological effects and play a role in the process of inducing radioactivity in other materials. When neutrons interact with biological tissues, they can cause ionization and damage to cellular structures, leading to various biological effects. This includes potential damage to DNA, which can result in mutations, cancer, or even cell death, demonstrating a clear biological impact.

Furthermore, neutrons can interact with other elements in the environment to make them radioactive through a process known as neutron activation. When neutrons collide with atomic nuclei, they can lead to the formation of unstable isotopes that subsequently decay and emit radiation. This dual effect—causing biological damage and creating radioactive substances—highlights the unique and complex nature of neutron interactions both in living organisms and in environmental contexts. This makes the response correctly identify the two primary influences of neutrons.