Why is too much ultraviolet radiation harmful to plants and animals?
1 Answer
Its very high energy and literally tears apart organic molecules as it pass through animals and plants.
Explanation:
UV radiation is very high energy and is also what's called "ionizing". This means that as it passes through molecules it strips electrons off and thereby breaks the bonds of any organic molecules in the animal. For example, if UV rips through the DNA of cells it can cause real chromosomal damage. Our bodies have DNA repair "crews" that try to repair this damage, but if it happens frequently enough and repair crews can't keep up, then the DNA could be permanently damaged.
In animals, like ourselves, this damage can set off the cancer process that causes cells to grow uncontrollable. In humans, this kind of cancer is called Melanoma and occurs as spots and raised blemishes or moles on the skin. See your doctor if you are worried about any spots you may have that might be cancerous.
With the hole in the ozone layer particularly bad over Antarctica, people living in places like Australia are particularly susceptible to the risks of skin cancer.
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