Question:

Radiation sensitivity of the cells to X-rays, in decreasing order is
(A) Skeletal muscle cells
(B) Gut epithelial cells
(C) Lymphoid cells
(D) Germinal cells
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Show Hint

To remember radiosensitivity hierarchies easily:
- High sensitivity: Lymphocytes, spermatogonia, erythroblasts (germinal cells).
- Intermediate sensitivity: Crypt cells of the gastrointestinal tract, skin basal cells.
- Low sensitivity (Resistant): Muscle cells, nerve cells, osteocytes.
  • (D), (B), (C), (A).
  • (C), (B), (D), (A).
  • (B), (D), (C), (A).
  • (A), (B), (D), (C).
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The radiosensitivity of cells and tissues to ionizing radiation (such as X-rays) is described by the Law of Bergonié and Tribondeau.
This law states that the radiosensitivity of a cell is directly proportional to its reproductive/mitotic activity and inversely proportional to its degree of differentiation.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let us analyze the radiosensitivity of the listed cell types from most sensitive to least sensitive (decreasing order):
1. Germinal cells (D):
These are highly undifferentiated stem cells with a very high mitotic rate (such as spermatogonia or erythroblasts).
According to the law of Bergonié and Tribondeau, they are among the most radiosensitive cells in the body.
Therefore, (D) represents the highest sensitivity.
2. Gut epithelial cells (B):
These cells line the crypts of the intestinal mucosa and undergo continuous, rapid division to replace shed epithelial cells.
They are highly sensitive to radiation, but slightly less sensitive than primitive germinal stem cells.
Therefore, (B) represents high to intermediate sensitivity.
3. Lymphoid cells (C):
Although lymphocytes are highly specialized immune cells, they are unique because they are extremely sensitive to radiation-induced apoptosis even when in a non-dividing state.
In general tissue hierarchies, they are highly sensitive, ranking close to germinal cells.
4. Skeletal muscle cells (A):
These are highly differentiated, post-mitotic, non-dividing cells.
Because they lack mitotic activity, they are highly radioresistant, requiring very high doses of radiation to exhibit damage.
Therefore, (A) represents the lowest sensitivity.
Arranging these in decreasing order of radiosensitivity (from most sensitive to least sensitive):
\[ \text{Germinal cells (D)} \rightarrow \text{Gut epithelial cells (B)} \rightarrow \text{Lymphoid cells (C)} \rightarrow \text{Skeletal muscle cells (A)} \]
This corresponds to the sequence (D), (B), (C), (A).

Step 3: Final Answer:

The correct option is (A), representing (D), (B), (C), (A).
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