Biologic responses to low doses of ionizing radiation: Detriment versus hormesis. Part 2. Dose responses of organisms.

The damage and signaling to cells and tissues with subsequent stimulatory responses induced by low doses of ionizing radiation were reviewed in Part 1 (J Nucl Med. 2001;42[7]:17N–27N). In the intact organism, these responses are expressions of complex adaptive systems that maintain homeostatic control essential for survival. The antimutagenic DNA damage-control system is the central component of this homeostatic control. The effect of ionizing radiation on this system and its consequences to the organism are the subjects of this review.