Which statement best describes the effect of a sound wave on biological tissue?

Which statement best describes the effect of a sound wave on biological tissue?

• A. Biologic effects
• B. Acoustic propagation properties
• C. Thermal effects
• D. Electrical effects

Answer: (A)

Biologic effects are the tissue responses to ultrasound exposure. A sound wave transfers energy into tissue and can cause heating as well as mechanical interactions, which are all biological effects. Describing the interaction as acoustic propagation properties would focus on how the wave travels, not on what happens to the tissue. Thermal effects are a specific type of biologic effect, not the full range. Electrical effects aren’t a typical outcome of ultrasound, which is mechanical energy. So the broad category of biologic effects best captures how tissue responds to the sound wave.

Biologic effects are the tissue responses to ultrasound exposure. A sound wave transfers energy into tissue and can cause heating as well as mechanical interactions, which are all biological effects. Describing the interaction as acoustic propagation properties would focus on how the wave travels, not on what happens to the tissue. Thermal effects are a specific type of biologic effect, not the full range. Electrical effects aren’t a typical outcome of ultrasound, which is mechanical energy. So the broad category of biologic effects best captures how tissue responds to the sound wave.