14.1.

INTRODUCTION Radiobiology, a branch of science that deals with the action of ionizing radiation onbiological tissues and living organisms,is a combination oftwo disciplines:radiation physicsandbiology. All living things are made up of protoplasmthat consists of inorganic andorganic compounds dissolved or suspended in water. The smallest unit of protoplasmcapable of independent existence is thecell Cells contain inorganic compounds (water and minerals) as well as organic compounds (proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, lipids). The two main constituents ofacell arethecytoplasm,which supports all metabolic functions within the cell,andthe nucleus, which containsthe genetic information (DNA). Human cellsare either soatic cells or germcells. Cells propagate through division; division ofsomatic cells is called mitosis,division of germcells meiosis. When a somatic cell divides, two cells are produced, each carrying a chromosome complement identical to that of the original cell. The new cells themselves mayundergo further division and the process continues Somatic cells are classified as: -Stemcells : exist to self-perpetuate and produce cells for a differentiated cellpopulation (e.g., stemcells of the hematopoietic system, epidermis, mucosal lining of the intestine). -Transit cells: cells in movement to another population (e.g.,areticulocyte which is differentiating tobecome an erythrocyte). -Maturecells: cells that are fully differentiated and do not exhibit mitoticactivity (e.g., muscle cells, nervous tissue). A group of cells that together performone or more functions is referred to astissue. A group of tissues that together performone or more functions is called an organ. A group of organs that perform one or more functions is asystemof organsor an organism