Which of these accurately describes a difference between cancer cells and normal cells?

• A. Cancer cells have a higher rate of apoptosis compared to normal cells.
• B. Cancer cells require more oxygen than normal cells for survival.
• C. Cancer cells are less likely to undergo mutations than normal cells.
• D. Cancer cells can divide indefinitely, while normal cells have a limited number of divisions.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of cell division: Normal cells have a limited number of times they can divide, known as the Hayflick limit, due to the shortening of telomeres with each division.
2. Recognize the characteristic of cancer cells: Cancer cells can bypass the Hayflick limit and continue to divide indefinitely. This is often due to the activation of the enzyme telomerase, which maintains telomere length.
3. Differentiate between apoptosis in normal and cancer cells: Apoptosis is a programmed cell death process that occurs in normal cells to remove damaged or unnecessary cells. Cancer cells often evade apoptosis, allowing them to survive longer than normal cells.
4. Consider the mutation rate: Cancer cells typically have a higher mutation rate compared to normal cells, which contributes to their ability to grow uncontrollably and resist treatments.
5. Evaluate the oxygen requirement: While cancer cells may have altered metabolism, they do not necessarily require more oxygen than normal cells. Instead, they often rely on glycolysis for energy production, even in the presence of oxygen (a phenomenon known as the Warburg effect).