Evaluate the statements below, and select those that correctly apply to the use of radiation as a microbial control mechanism:
1. The use of radiation to control microbial growth comes in two forms; ionizing and nonionizing radiation. Of the two, ionizing radiation is the most destructive.
2. Nonionizing radiation involves electrons being bombarded with enough energy to eject them from their atoms. Γ rays are an example of this.
3. Nonionizing radiation, e. g. , UV light, causes electrons to make a quantum leap to an orbital with a higher energy state, which causes thymine dimers to form, but does not create ions.
4. lonizing radiation involves electrons being bombarded with enough energy to eject them from their atoms. X rays are an example of this.
5. The use of radiation to control microbial growth comes in two forms; ionizing and nonionizing radiation. Of the two, nonionizing radiation is the most destructive.