Which type of cells exposed to radiation is associated with increased risk of leukemia?

The association of certain types of cells with an increased risk of leukemia due to radiation exposure can be understood by examining the nature of somatic cells. Somatic cells are the non-reproductive cells in the body that make up the majority of its tissues and organs. When these cells are exposed to ionizing radiation, they can sustain damage that might lead to mutations or alterations in the cellular DNA.

This damage can result in uncontrolled cell division or changes in cell function, which are hallmark characteristics of cancer development, including leukemia. Specifically, radiation can cause changes in hematopoietic stem cells found in the bone marrow, where blood cells, including leukocytes (white blood cells), are produced. The disruption of the normal regulation of these cells increases the likelihood of developing leukemia over time.

In contrast, while reproductive cells can also be affected by radiation, their association with leukemia is not direct, as leukemia primarily originates from somatic cell mutations. Mature cells, being differentiated and specialized, have a limited capacity for division and transformation into cancerous cells compared to undifferentiated cells. Genetic cells pertain to inherited characteristics and are not influenced directly by radiation exposure in the context of leukemia risk.

Therefore, the link between somatic cell damage from radiation exposure and