What is the term for the study of the biological effects of ionizing radiation?

The term that describes the study of the biological effects of ionizing radiation is radiobiology. This field focuses on understanding how radiation interacts with living tissue, the mechanisms of damage at the cellular and molecular levels, and the biological responses to radiation exposure. Radiobiology is essential for numerous applications, including radiation therapy, radiation protection, and understanding the risks associated with exposure to radiation in various environments.

Radiochemistry pertains to the chemistry of radioactive substances and their applications, while radiology is a medical discipline that utilizes imaging technologies to diagnose and treat conditions. Radiotherapy, on the other hand, involves the application of radiation to treat diseases, predominantly cancer, rather than studying the biological effects. Thus, radiobiology is distinctly focused on the interaction between ionizing radiation and biological systems.