Question

List four characteristics of cancer cells.

Short answer

The four main characteristics of cancer cells are uncontrolled proliferation, tissue invasion and metastasis, immortality, and genomic instability.

Step-by-step solution

Uncontrolled proliferation

One of the key characteristics of cancer cells is their ability to divide and grow in an uncontrolled way. Unlike normal cells, which undergo cell division in a regulated manner, cancer cells do not obey the signals that typically regulate cellular growth and division.

Tissue invasion and metastasis

Cancer cells have the ability to invade neighboring tissues and spread to different parts of the body, a process known as metastasis.

Immortality

Typically, cells have a limited lifespan and undergo a process of programmed cell death. However, cancer cells evade this process, allowing them to divide and proliferate indefinitely.

Genomic instability

Cancer cells display a higher than normal level of genetic mutations and abnormalities, a characteristic known as genomic instability.