What happens when an sex cell is exposed to radiation?

I know that it could mutate,

it could die,

something else could happen.



Does the same apply if an embryo is exposed to radiation?



My test is in a few hours!! Thanks!What happens when an sex cell is exposed to radiation?
It would mutate. That is what would happen.

The outcome of this mutation would depend on the mutation effect.



If the mutation damages crucial cell functions (often), the cell will die. Therefore, a stillborn usually occurs. You can see this in Hiroshima where women gave more births to stillborn children if they were in a radiation area. Also, in Chernobyl, 1 in 5 cows in the local area give birth to stillbirths after the accident...(I think this is the statistic anyway).



The cell could also mutate in other ways resulting in the change of a phenotype (appearance) of a fetus. For example, you hear stories from women in affected areas of Hiroshima giving birth to children with no eyes or to children with cyclopia (one large eye, central to forehead). Seeing isn't a vital process of fetus survival (it is only preferred), so it doesn't kill the child.



There is a very very very small chance that nothing could happen. This is infinitesimally small. This is where the genetic code is changed but the amino acid sequence remains the same (one amino acid codes for more than one gene).



Other than this (this is an important point in biology), the child, if it survives WILL pass the defective gene onto any offspring. It may be a recessive gene in the offspring (meaning you will not see it) or it could be dominant, directly affecting the phenotype. Either way, the gene will be passed down through the generations.What happens when an sex cell is exposed to radiation?
You cannot tell what will happen. Usually nothing happens. We live in a sleet of radiation that constantly alters our cells, and our cells have evolved correction techniques that continuously repair any damage. If the rate of radiation damage increases, then the repair mechanisms cannot keep up and the cell can have its function altered ( though usually it will die. ). Embryos , having relatively few cells which are also dividing quickly, are susceptible to radiation damage. Usually any damage to the chromosomes will result in a non-viable child. Usually a miscarriage. In a few cases the damage might not cause a terminal malfunction and the child survives to term, but carrying some abnormality. There is no telling what sort of abnormality can be caused by radiation damage, but only a few types regularly let the baby live long enough to get born. Hydrocephaly would be the major survivable consequence of radiation damage ( not usually for very long though).What happens when an sex cell is exposed to radiation?
It turns into a radio-active monster, who can only be stopped by having sex with Megan Fox =)
Godzilla babies.