According to the Law of Bergonie and Tribondeau, which group is least sensitive to radiation?

The Law of Bergonie and Tribondeau states that the sensitivity of cells to radiation is inversely proportional to their degree of differentiation and their reproductive activity. Essentially, more actively dividing and less differentiated cells tend to be more sensitive to the effects of radiation.

Adults, compared to children and the elderly, fall into a category where they are less actively dividing and their cells have differentiated to a greater extent. Children, because they are still in phases of growth with rapidly dividing cells, are more sensitive to radiation. Pregnant women also have heightened sensitivity due to the developmental processes occurring in the fetus, where cells are rapidly dividing. The elderly often have a history of slower cellular turnover and may have developed a resistance over time.

Thus, adults represent a group that is generally less sensitive to radiation given their fully developed cell structures and slower rates of cell division compared to children and the prenatal cells in pregnant women. This understanding aligns with the principles of the Bergonie and Tribondeau law, reinforcing why adults would be the least sensitive group to radiation exposure.