Question

Which one of the following is not a property of cancerous cells?

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

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

They show contact inhibition.

During tumorigenesis, cancerous cells undergo rapid cell division and compete with normal cells for nutrients.
Cancer cells spread to other parts of the body, a process called metastastize i.e., are not confined in area of formation.
Cancer is the result of cells that uncontrollably grow and do not die.
So, statements A, B and C are correct.
Normal cells when grown in culture, will become growth inhibited, when they encounter another cell. This is contact inhibition and Cancer cells show no contact inhibition as they do not stop dividing and keep growing.
Thus, the correct answer is option (D), 'They show contact inhibition'.