Question

which of the following statements correctly describes differences between normal cells and cancer cells? select all that apply.

cancer cells can divide indefinitely while normal cells have a limited number of divisions.

normal cells undergo apoptosis while cancer cells evade cell death.

normal cells respond to signals that regulate growth while cancer cells grow uncontrollably

normal cells remain in their intended location while cancer cells migrate to different locations

Explanation:

• Cancer cells can divide indefinitely while normal cells have a limited number of divisions: Normal cells have a finite lifespan due to factors like telomere shortening, while cancer cells often have mechanisms (e.g., up - regulated telomerase) to maintain telomere length and divide without limit.
• Normal cells undergo apoptosis while cancer cells evade cell death: Apoptosis (programmed cell death) is a normal cellular process for removing damaged or unnecessary cells. Cancer cells can mutate to avoid this process, allowing them to survive and proliferate when they should die.
• Normal cells respond to signals that regulate growth while cancer cells grow uncontrollably: Normal cells have a complex signaling network (e.g., involving growth factors, tumor suppressor genes) that controls their growth. Cancer cells often have mutations in genes (e.g., oncogenes are over - active, tumor suppressor genes are inactivated) that disrupt this regulation, leading to unregulated growth.
• Normal cells remain in their intended location while cancer cells migrate to different locations: Normal cells have cell - cell adhesion molecules and other mechanisms to stay in their proper tissue. Cancer cells can lose these adhesions and gain the ability to invade surrounding tissues and metastasize (move to other parts of the body).

Answer:

All of the statements (Cancer cells can divide indefinitely while normal cells have a limited number of divisions; Normal cells undergo apoptosis while cancer cells evade cell death; Normal cells respond to signals that regulate growth while cancer cells grow uncontrollably; Normal cells remain in their intended location while cancer cells migrate to different locations) are correct.