What does magnetic susceptibility refer to in terms of tissue?

Magnetic susceptibility refers to the capacity of a material, including biological tissue, to become magnetized when subjected to a magnetic field. This property determines how tissues respond to external magnetic fields, which is critical in the context of imaging techniques like MRI. When tissues with different susceptibilities are exposed to a magnetic field, they generate varying magnetic effects, which is essential for contrast in imaging. Understanding this property allows practitioners to interpret images more effectively and aids in distinguishing between different types of tissues based on their magnetic characteristics.

Other options, while related to magnetic fields and tissue interactions, do not accurately define magnetic susceptibility. For instance, the ability to transmit signals relates more to the functional aspects of tissues in the context of imaging but does not specifically define how they respond to magnetization. Similarly, resistance to magnetic fields and the effects of magnetic fields on water address different aspects of magnetic interactions that are not encapsulated in the definition of susceptibility itself.