ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) Version 7ScienceMedium
A patient undergoing radiation therapy for cancer develops severe fatigue, nausea, and a dangerously low white blood cell count. This is a common side effect of radiation, indicating damage to rapidly dividing cells in which of the following tissues?
- ABone marrow
- BAdipose tissue
- CConnective tissue
- DNervous tissue
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Bone marrow
Radiation therapy targets rapidly dividing cells. Bone marrow is responsible for producing all blood cells, including white blood cells, and contains highly proliferative stem cells. Damage to bone marrow leads to suppressed hematopoiesis, manifesting as low white blood cell count, anemia, and fatigue.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Adipose tissue (fat) has low metabolic activity and slow cell turnover, making it less susceptible to radiation.
- C. Connective tissue (e.g., cartilage, ligaments) has varying cell turnover rates, but generally slower than bone marrow.
- D. Nervous tissue, especially mature neurons, are post-mitotic and do not divide, so they are generally resistant to radiation.
Bone Marrow Sensitivity to Radiation
Bone marrow, a site of rapid cell division for blood cell production, is highly susceptible to damage from radiation therapy.
- Contains hematopoietic stem cells.
- Produces red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
- Damage leads to myelosuppression, causing anemia, immunodeficiency, and thrombocytopenia.
Memory trick: Rapidly Reproducing Cells Receive Radiation's Ruin.