True or False: Blood-forming (hematopoietic) tissues are highly sensitive to ionizing radiation.

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Multiple Choice

True or False: Blood-forming (hematopoietic) tissues are highly sensitive to ionizing radiation.

Blood-forming tissues contain hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells that are actively dividing to continually replenish blood. Ionizing radiation damages DNA, and cells that are rapidly dividing and less differentiated are more susceptible to this damage. Because these hematopoietic cells are highly mitotic and relatively undifferentiated, hematopoietic tissue is one of the most radiosensitive tissues. This is why radiation exposure can lead to bone marrow suppression and consequences like reduced blood cell counts. So the statement is true. The alternatives don’t fit because they imply lesser, variable, or non-applicable sensitivity, which contradicts the well-established radiosensitivity of hematopoietic tissue.

Blood-forming tissues contain hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells that are actively dividing to continually replenish blood. Ionizing radiation damages DNA, and cells that are rapidly dividing and less differentiated are more susceptible to this damage. Because these hematopoietic cells are highly mitotic and relatively undifferentiated, hematopoietic tissue is one of the most radiosensitive tissues. This is why radiation exposure can lead to bone marrow suppression and consequences like reduced blood cell counts. So the statement is true. The alternatives don’t fit because they imply lesser, variable, or non-applicable sensitivity, which contradicts the well-established radiosensitivity of hematopoietic tissue.

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