NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

The information in this document was accurate as of the original publication date.

Audience: Educators
Grades: 9-12
Product Number: EP-2008-08-117-MSFC


Module 2 of the Radiation Challenge guides focuses on the risks and symptoms of radiation exposure and the consequences of DNA damage. The lessons in this guide call for students to analyze the genetic effects of radiation in plants; describe changes in phenotype as a result of radiation damage in plants, yeast and Drosophila melanogaster; and simulate the random damage to DNA caused by radiation.

The activities in the guide are:

• Biological Effects of Radiation Damage in Plants
• Biological Effects of Radiation Damage in Yeast
• Biological Effects of Radiation Damage in Drosophila
• Three-Dimensional Modeling of DNA Damage

Space Faring: The Radiation Challenge Module 2: Radiation Damage in Living Organisms Educator Guide  [814KB PDF file]


Other modules in this series are:
Introduction and Module 1: Radiation Educator Guide
Module 3: Radiation Countermeasures Educator Guide
Module 4: Applications to Life on Earth Educator Guide


The following videos supplement this guide:
Space Faring: The Radiation Challenge Act 1: What Is Radiation and Where Does It Come From?
Space Faring: The Radiation Challenge Act 2: Space Radiation and Human Health
Space Faring: The Radiation Challenge Act 3: Protection From Space Radiation


Space Faring: The Radiation Challenge Main Page