Which type of cells are described as continuing to reproduce and having the potential to metastasize?

Which type of cells are described as continuing to reproduce and having the potential to metastasize?

• A. Normal cells
• B. Cancer cells
• C. Stem cells
• D. Muscle cells

Answer: (B)

Cancer cells have the ability to keep dividing despite normal growth controls, and they can spread to other parts of the body (metastasize). This combination—uncontrolled replication plus potential to invade and colonize distant sites—defines their behavior. Normal cells usually stop dividing when they shouldn’t, stem cells renew under tight regulation, and mature muscle cells are largely non-dividing; none of these match the persistent, invasive growth seen in cancer.

Cancer cells have the ability to keep dividing despite normal growth controls, and they can spread to other parts of the body (metastasize). This combination—uncontrolled replication plus potential to invade and colonize distant sites—defines their behavior. Normal cells usually stop dividing when they shouldn’t, stem cells renew under tight regulation, and mature muscle cells are largely non-dividing; none of these match the persistent, invasive growth seen in cancer.