Chemotherapy Biotherapy Certification ONS Practice Testq

Why are hair follicles particularly affected by chemotherapy?

1. They are non-dividing cells.

2. They have high mitotic activity.

3. They are resistant to chemical agents.

4. They regenerate rapidly post-treatment.

The correct answer is: They have high mitotic activity.

Hair follicles are particularly affected by chemotherapy because they exhibit high mitotic activity. Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells, which is why many side effects are observed in tissues that have high rates of cell division. Hair follicles are composed of rapidly proliferating cells, particularly in the anagen (growth) phase, which is why they are sensitive to chemotherapeutic agents. The nature of chemotherapy agents involves disrupting the processes of cell division, leading to hair loss during treatment. Although other tissues, such as those in the gastrointestinal tract and bone marrow, also have high mitotic activity and experience similar effects, hair follicles are notably affected due to their constant cycle of regeneration and the rapid turnover of cells in this area. While hair follicles do regenerate relatively quickly post-treatment, it is the high mitotic activity that primarily accounts for their vulnerability to chemotherapy. Cells that are non-dividing are generally less affected by these treatments, and resistance to chemical agents doesn’t apply to hair follicles, as they are susceptible to the damage caused by these drugs.