What happens to normal cells during radiation therapy?

During radiation therapy, normal cells experience damage, but they have the capacity to repair their DNA. This capability is a crucial aspect of maintaining the health of normal tissues during treatment. Unlike cancerous cells, which often lack effective repair mechanisms and are more susceptible to the damaging effects of radiation, normal cells can utilize cellular processes to mend the damage caused by the radiation exposure.

This ability to repair DNA means that while radiation therapy aims to eliminate cancer cells by targeting their genetic material, it allows normal cells to recover from damage, ultimately leading to less overall harm to healthy tissues. This is why the healing and recovery processes of normal cells are considered beneficial in the context of radiation therapy. They can often return to their normal functions after the treatment, contributing to the body's overall resilience and recovery.

In contrast, other choices imply limitations or negative consequences for normal cells. Selecting this option emphasizes the therapeutic nuance in radiation therapy, highlighting that normal cells can withstand and recover from the treatment better than cancerous cells.