Arizona State University (ASU) BIO181 General Biology I Exam 1 Practice

The characteristic that is true about cancer cells is that they are immortal. Cancer cells exhibit uncontrolled growth and division, meaning they can proliferate indefinitely under the right conditions. Unlike normal somatic cells, which typically undergo a limited number of divisions due to mechanisms like telomere shortening and cellular aging, many cancer cells evade these controls. They often maintain or activate telomerase, an enzyme that extends the telomeres, allowing them to bypass the usual limits on cell division, which is a hallmark of cancerous growth.

This immortality is a key aspect that differentiates cancer cells from normal cells, contributing to the formation of tumors and the potential for metastasis. Understanding this characteristic is crucial in cancer research and treatment, as therapies often aim to target the differences between cancerous and normal cell behavior.