Compared to other blood cells, how radiosensitive are erythrocytes?

Erythrocytes, or red blood cells, are considered to be less radiosensitive compared to other blood cells such as lymphocytes. The reason for this difference in radiosensitivity lies in their structure and function. Erythrocytes are mature cells that do not have a nucleus, which means they lack the DNA that can be damaged by radiation. Lymphocytes and other blood cells, which are involved in immune response, have a higher metabolic activity and a nucleus that makes them more susceptible to the damaging effects of radiation.

When radiation exposure occurs, cells with high turnover rates and active DNA processes, like lymphocytes, are more affected because they are more likely to undergo mitosis and thus are more likely to incur radiation damage during cell division. In contrast, erythrocytes are stable and have a lifespan of around 120 days in circulation. Therefore, they exhibit a lower rate of division and a reduced level of radiosensitivity, making them less susceptible to radiation as compared to other more actively dividing blood cells.