Do cosmic rays disrupt neurons and DNA at the quantum level? How much energy and radition do they impart to the body?

[chrisjones]

As cosmic rays pass through humans, plants, and animal bodies is it possible that their cumulative effect of tunneling through DNA, cells, and neurons actually disrupts DNA and neurons at the quantum scale? How much energy and radiation do they impart to biological entities such as humans, plants, and animals? If they do disrupt cells, DNA, and neurons could I suggest that it follows that cosmic rays may have shaped evolution on earth or at least may have caused errors in DNA some of which improved a species' chance of survival? Do they also impact neurons and synapses at a quantum scale therefore impact the way we think?

[exchemist]

3 hours ago, chrisjones said:

As cosmic rays pass through humans, plants, and animal bodies is it possible that their cumulative effect of tunneling through DNA, cells, and neurons actually disrupts DNA and neurons at the quantum scale? How much energy and radiation do they impart to biological entities such as humans, plants, and animals? If they do disrupt cells, DNA, and neurons could I suggest that it follows that cosmic rays may have shaped evolution on earth or at least may have caused errors in DNA some of which improved a species' chance of survival? Do they also impact neurons and synapses at a quantum scale therefore impact the way we think?

I would think with DNA certainly cosmic rays will be one source of mutation, so they will have a role in evolution. With neurons I would think not. Neuronal processes do not seem to rely on individual molecules, in the way that genetic coding does. So damage to one molecule won’t affect their operation, I would have thought.

The energy cosmic rays impart to organisms as a whole is tiny. But for an individual atom in an individual molecule, it is enough to break its bonds, tear off electrons, knock it out of position etc. Of all biological structures it seems to be only genetic material that relies on a single (very large) molecule. That’s why cosmic rays can make a difference there.

Edited August 21, 2022 by exchemist

[chrisjones]

Thanks for that fantastic reply, I also pondered if a single egg in the womb were bombarded by a cluster of atomic rays before the cells divided could the altered genetic code change the structure of the cell to the extent that as the cell divided it would replicate the mutation, therefore, alter the entire structure of a biological entity? For instance, could the minute mutations in the cell shape the evolution of a species by incremental but individually significant changes in the structure of the cell during the evolution of that particular species? Suggesting both slow survival of the fittest evolutionary change but also much quicker mutations intermittently throughout the evolution of a particular species. 

Edited August 21, 2022 by chrisjones

[joigus]

As exchemist said, neurons are too big to be affected by a single atomic event. When an action potential is triggered, many atoms are involved.

On the other hand, although cosmic rays hit our bodies constantly, keep in mind: Not all DNA is being constantly transcribed and translated. A big part of it is not being expressed, and never does during an organism's lifetime. Many genes code for IF, THEN clauses in the genetic code: If such environmental factor is present, then synthesise such and such protein.

Also, there are specialised enzymes that detect changes in DNA and correct them constantly to a precision that's about 1 part in 10⁹ --if I remember correctly. 

Finally, modified cells produce chemicals that act as stress signals, resulting in the removal of the cell.

Among the suite of enzymes that cells produce, several of them are in charge of telling the cell when to divide (mitosis). If the part of DNA that does this job is damaged, it's certainly possible for a cell to start dividing indefinitely. That's what happens when carcinogenic mutations take place.

It's perhaps worth noting that cosmic rays are not the main source of high-energy radiation that we're exposed to. Rocks are probably a much more important factor.

For genetic mutations to be inherited, they must affect sexual cells (gametes).

[chrisjones]

Wow, that's a brilliant reply thanks.