The property of energy transfer into target tissue, resulting in a change in that tissue, is known as what?

The property of energy transfer into target tissue that results in a change in that tissue is known as absorption. Absorption occurs when energy, such as that from a laser, enters the tissue and is converted into other forms of energy, typically heat. This process is crucial in medical and therapeutic applications of lasers, as it allows for the selective destruction or alteration of tissue without excessively affecting surrounding areas.

In this context, absorption leads to various physiological effects, enabling treatments such as cutting, coagulation, or skin resurfacing, depending on the type of laser and the characteristics of the tissue involved. Understanding the mechanisms of absorption helps practitioners optimize laser settings for specific therapeutic outcomes.

The other options relate to different interactions between light and tissue. Transmission refers to the passage of light through a medium without being absorbed. Reflection is when light bounces back from a surface after hitting it, while scattering involves the deflection of light in multiple directions due to interaction with uneven surfaces or particles within the medium. None of these processes result in the energy being transformed within the tissue itself, which is why absorption is the correct answer.