According to the law of Bergonié and Tribondeau, the cellular characteristic most strongly associated with intrinsic radiosensitivity is:
- A Large cell size and abundant cytoplasm
- B High mitotic rate and poor differentiation ✓
- C Accumulation of lipofuscin pigment
- D Expression of multidrug resistance pumps
Correct answer: B. High mitotic rate and poor differentiation
Explanation
The Bergonié and Tribondeau law states that radiosensitivity varies directly with reproductive activity and inversely with degree of differentiation. Rapidly dividing stem cells such as lymphocytes, germ cells and intestinal crypt cells are highly radiosensitive, whereas mature neurons, striated muscle and other differentiated postmitotic cells are radioresistant. Cell size, pigment content and efflux pumps govern drug resistance, not ionising radiation response.
Reference: Hall and Giaccia, Radiobiology for the Radiologist, 8th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.