Question

What is contact inhibition? Explain how the normal cell transforms into cancerous cell.

Hint:

Normal cells stop dividing on contact (contact inhibition). Loss of this property leads to uncontrolled growth → cancer.

Answer 1

Contact Inhibition: \[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{Contact inhibition is the property of normal cells to stop dividing when they come into contact with neighboring cells.} \\ \bullet & \text{It ensures controlled growth and maintains tissue architecture.} \\ \end{array}\] Transformation into Cancerous Cells: \[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{In cancerous cells, contact inhibition is lost. They continue to divide uncontrollably even after touching adjacent cells.} \\ \bullet & \text{This uncontrolled proliferation leads to the formation of a mass of cells called a tumor.} \\ \bullet & \text{Mutations in proto-oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes disrupt normal cell cycle regulation.} \\ \bullet & \text{Tumors may remain benign or become malignant, invading other tissues (metastasis).} \\ \end{array}\]