The radiobiological effect of radiation is most dependent on:

The radiobiological effect of radiation is most dependent on linear energy transfer (LET), which refers to the amount of energy that radiation deposits along its path as it travels through tissue. Higher LET radiation, such as alpha particles, tends to cause more significant biological damage compared to lower LET radiation, such as X-rays or gamma rays. This is because high LET radiation delivers a large amount of energy over a short distance, leading to dense ionization events that can severely disrupt cellular structures, including DNA, resulting in a higher likelihood of cell death or mutations.

In addition to LET, radiation type also influences the radiobiological effects, but it is the energy transfer mechanisms that ultimately dictate the extent of the biological damage. Dosing schedules relate to how radiation doses are administered over time and can impact treatment outcomes, but the inherent mechanics of the radiation's interaction with biological tissue are primarily governed by LET. Decontamination techniques are not relevant in measuring radiobiological effects; instead, they focus on reducing radioactive contamination in an environment or on surfaces. Thus, linear energy transfer stands as the key determinant in evaluating the biological impact of radiation exposure.