Which of the following cell type pairs are the most sensitive in the body to radiation?

The correct answer highlights the sensitivity of lymphocytes and spermatogonia to radiation, which is rooted in their biological characteristics and roles within the body. Lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, are critical for the immune response and have a high rate of cell division, making them particularly vulnerable to the damaging effects of radiation. Rapidly dividing cells are generally more sensitive to radiation because they are more likely to be affected during the phases of the cell cycle when DNA repair is less effective.

Spermatogonia are the precursor cells in the male reproductive system responsible for sperm production. Similar to lymphocytes, they also undergo frequent mitotic divisions, which increases their susceptibility to radiation damage. The combination of these two cell types, both involved in critical physiological processes and characterized by their high turnover rates, illustrates why they are particularly sensitive to radiation exposure.

In the context of other options, while ovum (egg cells) do possess sensitivity, they are not dividing as frequently as spermatogonia. Erythrocytes (red blood cells) and thrombocytes (platelets) are derived from a different lineage and tend to be less sensitive to radiation, especially once fully mature, as they do not typically divide. Therefore, the pairing