Which statement about cancer?

Which statement about cancer?

• A. Cancer cells divide normally
• B. Cancer is caused by viruses only
• C. Cancer is inherited in all cases
• D. Cancer is uncontrolled cell growth and division

Answer: (D)

Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and division, arising from mutations that disrupt normal cell cycle control. In healthy tissue, cells divide in a regulated way, with checkpoints and signals that promote or halt division and trigger programmed cell death when needed. When mutations hit genes that keep the cycle in check—such as tumor suppressors or the regulators that drive division—these brakes fail, and cells keep multiplying even when they shouldn’t. Over time, this unchecked proliferation leads to tumors and the potential to invade surrounding tissues. Some cancers are linked to viruses or inherited genetic factors, but neither idea alone explains all cancers. Viruses can contribute to certain cancers, and having a family history can raise risk, but cancer is not caused by viruses only and is not inherited in all cases. The statement that cancer involves normal division is incorrect because the defining feature is the loss of regulatory control, not normal regulation.

Cancer is characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and division, arising from mutations that disrupt normal cell cycle control. In healthy tissue, cells divide in a regulated way, with checkpoints and signals that promote or halt division and trigger programmed cell death when needed. When mutations hit genes that keep the cycle in check—such as tumor suppressors or the regulators that drive division—these brakes fail, and cells keep multiplying even when they shouldn’t. Over time, this unchecked proliferation leads to tumors and the potential to invade surrounding tissues.

Some cancers are linked to viruses or inherited genetic factors, but neither idea alone explains all cancers. Viruses can contribute to certain cancers, and having a family history can raise risk, but cancer is not caused by viruses only and is not inherited in all cases. The statement that cancer involves normal division is incorrect because the defining feature is the loss of regulatory control, not normal regulation.