Cockroaches are immune to the effects of radiation?

[The_Absolute]

I've always heard people say that roaches and similar insects are completely immune to the dangerous effects that radiation has on biological organisms. Although I doubt this is true, I just wanted someone on this forum with the scientific expertise to confirm this.

 

[Pythagorean]

Roaches aren't immune, their cells divide slower, so there's less chances of radiation causing problems.

So a colony of roaches may survive where humans wouldn't, but every roach wouldn't necissarily survive

 

[Pythagorean]

What does speed at which it's cell's divide have to do with its chances of radiation having an effect on it?

It's not the speed they divide, it's the interval between dividing. From what I understand, during cell division is when cells are most vulnerable to radiation. Humans cells are constantly dividing.