Question

Which of the following is a characteristic of a cancer cell?

• A. Replicates an unlimited number of times
• B. Grows and divides without stimulation from a growth factor
• C. DNA damage does not halt division
• D. Releases factors that can cause nearby cells to become cancerous

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (C)

The correct options are
A Replicates an unlimited number of times
B Grows and divides without stimulation from a growth factor
C DNA damage does not halt division

In order to grow and divide, most somatic cells must be stimulated by signalling molecules called growth factors. Cancer cells acquire mutations which make them grow without such stimulation. Cells with this type of mutation are said to be transformed. Normal cells can only divide a limited number of times and then senesce and die by apoptosis. Cancer cells avoid this limitation, and can replicate an unlimited number of times. When the DNA of a normal cell becomes damaged, cell division is halted until the DNA is repaired. If a repair cannot be carried out, the cell is pushed into apoptosis. All cancer cells have damaged DNA. This can be extensive and may include loss of chromosomes, but this does not halt their cell cycle and does not cause apoptosis, and they continue to grow and divide. However, cancer is not infectious, and cancer cells do not cause other cells to become cancerous.