What is the name of the law that states this is true?

• A. Law of Bergonie & Tribondeau
• B. Bergonie & Tribondeau Law
• C. Law of Radiation Protection
• D. Tribondeau's Law

Answer: (A)

Radiosensitivity is driven by how actively a cell divides and how differentiated it is. Bergonie and Tribondeau showed that tissues with high mitotic activity, a long potential for future division, and low differentiation are the most radiosensitive, while mature, well-differentiated cells with limited division are more radioresistant. Because this relationship is named after those scientists, the formal title is the Law of Bergonie & Tribondeau. Some texts might say Bergonie & Tribondeau Law or Tribondeau’s Law, but the standard form you’ll see in radiobiology is Law of Bergonie & Tribondeau. This framing explains why rapidly dividing tissues like bone marrow and the intestinal lining are more affected by radiation than mature tissues such as muscle or brain.