Which term denotes a group of disorders in which the body loses control of both the rate and number of times mitosis occurs?

Which term denotes a group of disorders in which the body loses control of both the rate and number of times mitosis occurs?

• A. Cytoplasm
• B. Diffusion
• C. Cancer
• D. Symbiosis

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is how the cell cycle is controlled. In healthy tissues, cells divide only when needed, guided by checkpoints that limit both how fast mitosis occurs and how many times a cell can divide. When this control fails, cells can begin to divide uncontrollably, speeding up and continuing beyond normal limits. This unchecked, repeated cell division is what characterizes cancer—a group of disorders marked by uncontrolled proliferation and growth. The other terms describe unrelated concepts: cytoplasm is the inside of the cell, diffusion is the passive movement of molecules, and symbiosis is a long-term relationship between species. None of those involve unregulated cell division, so cancer is the term that best fits.

The main idea here is how the cell cycle is controlled. In healthy tissues, cells divide only when needed, guided by checkpoints that limit both how fast mitosis occurs and how many times a cell can divide. When this control fails, cells can begin to divide uncontrollably, speeding up and continuing beyond normal limits. This unchecked, repeated cell division is what characterizes cancer—a group of disorders marked by uncontrolled proliferation and growth. The other terms describe unrelated concepts: cytoplasm is the inside of the cell, diffusion is the passive movement of molecules, and symbiosis is a long-term relationship between species. None of those involve unregulated cell division, so cancer is the term that best fits.