Which organ is primarily responsible for radiation-induced leukemia?

• A. Liver
• B. Bone marrow
• C. Spleen
• D. Lungs

Answer: (B)

Bone marrow is primarily responsible for radiation-induced leukemia because it is the main site of blood cell production and is highly sensitive to radiation exposure. When radiation affects the bone marrow, it can lead to mutations in the hematopoietic stem cells that give rise to blood cells, including white blood cells. These mutations can disrupt the normal process of cell division and differentiation, potentially resulting in leukemia, which is characterized by an overproduction of abnormal white blood cells.

The other organs listed do not have the same direct relationship with leukemia. While the liver, spleen, and lungs may also be affected by radiation exposure, they do not play the same central role in blood cell production and are not primary sites for the development of leukemia. The effects of radiation on these organs might lead to other types of cancers or conditions but are not specifically linked to the incidence of leukemia to the same extent as bone marrow.