The effect of 400 R of whole-body X-irradiation on DNA synthesis, DNA degradation, CdR-aminohydrolase activity and oxygen uptake in the liver, spleen and thymus of the rat has been studied in connection with the radiosensitivity of these tissues. The rate of CdR-2-$^14 C$ incorporation has been followed during the postirradiation period and has been correlated with the increased levels of CdR-aminohydrolase activity druing this period. The postirradiation period comprises radiation reaction and tissue regeneration periods. During the period of radiation reaction, markedly decreased precursor incorporation, decreased tissue levels of DNA and decreased uptake of oxygen are noted as well as an increase in the CdR-aminohydrolase activity. The period of regeneration appears to consist in two discrete phases. The first phase reveals a return of CdR-aminohydrolase activity and the second phase is highlighted by a markedly increased rate of labeled CdR incorporation. Various events occurring during the radiation reaction period and the regeneration period in the three tissues studied can be considered qualitatively the same, differing only in the degree of acute cell death, in the duration of the delay of DNA synthesis in the sruviving cells, and in the rate of recovery resulting from accelerated cell replication during the period of regeneration. A possible biochemical mechanism involved in the DNA synthesis and degradation, in connection with the inreased levels of CdR-aminohydrolase after irradiation, has been briefly discussed.