Question

Which one of the following in not a feature of cancerous cells?

• A. They divide in an uncontrolled manner.
• B. They do not remain confined to one localized area.
• C. They compete with normal cells for vital nutrients..
• D. They show contact inhibition.

Answer 1

The correct option is D They show contact inhibition.

Cancer involved abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade other parts of the body. They can spread to other parts (not necessarily like benign tumours). These cancer cells compete with the normal cells for various vital nutrients. However, the cancer cells do not show contact inhibition. Contact inhibition is a growth mechanism which functions to keep cells growing into a layer of one cell thick (monolayer). The cancer cells do not show this property as they divide and divide and pile up and grow over each other.
So, the correct answer is 'They show contact inhibition'.