The most radiosensitive tissue among the following is:

Question

Question

Answer 1

Correct Answer: Bone marrow

Rationale:

Bone marrow is the most radiosensitive tissue among the given options because it contains rapidly dividing cells, which are more susceptible to radiation damage. Radiation affects cells most significantly during cell division, making tissues with high cell turnover more vulnerable.
The hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow are responsible for producing blood cells, and their rapid division makes them particularly sensitive to the effects of ionizing radiation. Damage to bone marrow can lead to a decrease in blood cell production, causing conditions like anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia.

Explanation of Other Options:

Spleen

Rationale: The spleen is involved in the filtration of blood and the immune response. While it contains some rapidly dividing cells, it is not as radiosensitive as bone marrow. The spleen's primary functions include the removal of old red blood cells and the storage of white blood cells and platelets.

Kidney

Rationale: The kidneys are responsible for filtering blood, removing waste, and balancing fluids and electrolytes. Kidney cells do not divide as rapidly as bone marrow cells, making them less sensitive to radiation. However, high doses of radiation can still cause significant damage to kidney tissues, leading to impaired renal function.

Brain

Rationale: The brain consists primarily of neurons, which are relatively non-dividing cells in adults. This makes the brain one of the least radiosensitive tissues. While radiation can still damage brain tissue, the effects are less pronounced compared to tissues with higher cell turnover rates.

Conclusion:

Among the given options, bone marrow is the most radiosensitive tissue due to its high rate of cell division. Understanding the radiosensitivity of different tissues is crucial in fields such as radiology and oncology, where minimizing damage to healthy tissues while targeting diseased tissues is essential.