Question

cancer is a disease of uncontrolled cell division. cancer cells behave differently than normal cells, and function incorrectly during the cell cycle. which of these best describes how cell division irregularities might lead to cancer?
choose two correct answers for part a:

cancer cells become stuck in g1 of interphase, which causes each cell to grow excessively large.

cancer cells divide far less than normal cells, allowing each individual cell to increase in size.

cancer cells can divide many more times than normal cells in the body before they die off.

Explanation:

• Normal cells have a limited number of cell divisions (Hayflick limit). Cancer cells often have mutations that allow them to bypass this limit (e.g., through activation of telomerase which maintains telomere length), so they can divide many more times than normal cells before dying off.
• Cancer cells do not become “stuck” in G1 of interphase and grow excessively large as a main cancer - causing mechanism. Also, cancer cells divide more frequently than normal cells, not less.

Answer:

Cancer cells can divide many more times than normal cells in the body before they die off.