The law that states that cells are most sensitive to radiation when they are nonspecialized and rapidly dividing is the:

The law that states that cells are most sensitive to radiation when they are nonspecialized and rapidly dividing is the:

• A. Ohm's law
• B. Reciprocity law
• C. Inverse square law
• D. Law of Bergonié and Tribondeau

Answer: (D)

Radiosensitivity rises when cells are immature and dividing rapidly because radiation mainly damages DNA, and cells that are actively replicating have less time to repair DNA damage before they divide. The law that captures this idea states that undifferentiated, rapidly dividing cells are the most sensitive to radiation, while more specialized, slower-dividing cells are less sensitive. This explains why tissues such as bone marrow, the lining of the gut, and reproductive cells are highly radiosensitive, whereas mature nerve and muscle tissues are relatively resistant. This principle helps predict which tissues are most at risk during radiation exposure and why protection is especially important for developing embryos and fetuses. The other options are physical laws describing how radiation behaves or how exposure is measured, not how cells respond to radiation.

Radiosensitivity rises when cells are immature and dividing rapidly because radiation mainly damages DNA, and cells that are actively replicating have less time to repair DNA damage before they divide. The law that captures this idea states that undifferentiated, rapidly dividing cells are the most sensitive to radiation, while more specialized, slower-dividing cells are less sensitive. This explains why tissues such as bone marrow, the lining of the gut, and reproductive cells are highly radiosensitive, whereas mature nerve and muscle tissues are relatively resistant. This principle helps predict which tissues are most at risk during radiation exposure and why protection is especially important for developing embryos and fetuses. The other options are physical laws describing how radiation behaves or how exposure is measured, not how cells respond to radiation.