What is a characteristic of deterministic radiation effects?

Deterministic radiation effects are characterized by their dose dependency, meaning that the severity of the effect is related to the amount of radiation exposure. With deterministic effects, as the dose of radiation increases, the likelihood and severity of the effect also increase. This relationship is crucial in understanding how radiation interacts with biological tissues, as higher doses can lead to immediate and severe consequences, such as skin burns or radiation sickness.

In contrast, stochastic effects, which occur randomly and are not dose dependent, relate more to the probability of an effect occurring rather than the severity. Understanding this distinction is vital for assessing risks associated with radiation exposure in various contexts, such as medical imaging or radiation therapy. The other provided choices do not accurately describe the nature of deterministic effects, highlighting that the severity is tied directly to the dose received.