Asked by yacouba traore on May 17, 2024
Verified
Briefly explain why apoptosis protects the body against cancerous cells. Include why cell age is a factor in cells becoming cancerous.
Apoptosis
A process of programmed cell death that occurs in multicellular organisms, maintaining health by eliminating old, unnecessary, or unhealthy cells.
Cancerous Cells
Abnormal cells that divide uncontrollably and can invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body.
- Understand the role of apoptosis in protecting against cancerous transformations.
Verified Answer
IA
Indaneja AlexanderMay 18, 2024
Final Answer :
Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, rids the body of aging or damaged cells. Aging cells are more likely to become cancerous because of the accumulation of DNA mutations that occur and are not repaired during the lifetime of the cell. Cancerous cells can resist or prevent apoptosis; therefore, they are able to persist in the body.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the role of apoptosis in protecting against cancerous transformations.