Tidal variations of radon activity as a possible factor synchronizing biological processes

Possible scenarios for synchronization of some biological processes with variations in the lunisolar gravitational tide acceleration are considered with regard to the trigger influence of the tidal force on the geological environment and the relevant modulation of the emanation and activity fields of radon and other radioactive elements. Mechanisms and models of the sensitivity of living systems to tidal variations of natural background radiation, including mitochondrial permeability transition, generation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, bystander factors, secondary biogenic radiation, modulation of cell signaling, and rhythmic gene expression, are discussed. © 2015, Pleiades Publishing, Inc.