Which phenomenon is seen most frequently in growing tissue exposed to radiation?

Which phenomenon is seen most frequently in growing tissue exposed to radiation?

• A. Nuclear disintegration
• B. Vacuolization
• C. Cessation of cell division
• D. Altered protoplasmic viscosity

Answer: (C)

Growing tissue is highly radiosensitive because many cells are actively dividing. When such tissue is exposed to ionizing radiation, DNA damage interferes with replication and mitosis. This damage often stalls cells during the cell cycle, preventing them from completing division. The result is a cessation of cell division, which is the most common early response seen in rapidly proliferating tissue after radiation exposure. Other changes like nuclear disintegration, vacuolization, or changes in cytoplasmic viscosity can occur with damage, but they are not the typical or most frequent early effect in growing tissue.

Growing tissue is highly radiosensitive because many cells are actively dividing. When such tissue is exposed to ionizing radiation, DNA damage interferes with replication and mitosis. This damage often stalls cells during the cell cycle, preventing them from completing division. The result is a cessation of cell division, which is the most common early response seen in rapidly proliferating tissue after radiation exposure. Other changes like nuclear disintegration, vacuolization, or changes in cytoplasmic viscosity can occur with damage, but they are not the typical or most frequent early effect in growing tissue.