Which of the following body parts are included in the whole-body dose?

The whole-body dose refers to the total amount of radiation dose absorbed by the entire body or significant parts of the body that are relevant for radiation protection. This primarily includes critical organs that have a high sensitivity to radiation, such as the gonads and blood-forming organs, which are important due to their roles in reproduction and hematopoiesis, respectively.

Including both gonads and blood-forming organs in the whole-body dose calculation is crucial because these organs are particularly vulnerable to the effects of radiation exposure. The gonads are sensitive to radiation due to the potential for genetic damage that can affect future generations, while blood-forming organs such as the bone marrow are vital for the production of blood cells, and their damage can lead to conditions like anemia or increased susceptibility to infections and other diseases.

In contrast, options focusing on extremities or individual organs do not encapsulate the entirety of the body’s response to radiation exposure; they are more specific to localized or partial doses rather than the overall assessment of radiation impact on the organism as a whole. Therefore, the inclusion of both the gonads and the blood-forming organs acknowledges the comprehensive risks associated with whole-body radiation exposure.