• Question: Is it true that cockroaches can survive a higher amout of radiation tha humans, if so can i ask why?

    Asked by discostu4 to Tiffany on 21 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: Tiffany Taylor

      Tiffany Taylor answered on 21 Jun 2012:


      Hello! Yes it’s true, but actually all insects can survive a higher amount of radiation than humans, and little fruit flies can survive even more than the cockroach! The reason is because the radiation can only damage cells when they’re dividing. In humans, our cells are dividing all the time – so we react really badly to radiation. But the way insects grow is by moulting (they peel off their hard skin every now and again to reveal new skin beneath), and their cells only divide when they moult. Because of this radiation is less harmful to them.

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