Question

Which of the following may happen to a cell that has accumulated a lot of DNA damage and/or mutations?

I. The cell enters a dormant state and cell does not divide anymore.
II. The cell dies.
III. The cell becomes a cancer cell due to unregulated cell division.

(A) I Only
(B) I and III Only
(C) II and III Only
(D) I, II, and III

Answer 1

A cell that has accumulated a lot of DNA damage and/or mutations may enter a dormant state, die, or become cancerous due to unregulated cell division.

Step-by-step explanation:

A cell that has accumulated a lot of DNA damage and/or mutations may undergo several outcomes:

1. Dormancy: The cell can enter an irreversible state of dormancy, known as senescence.
2. Cell Death: The cell can initiate programmed cell death, also known as apoptosis.
3. Cancer Formation: The cell can undergo unregulated cell division, leading to the formation of tumors and development of cancer.

These outcomes are influenced by various factors such as cell type, age of the cell, and the extracellular environment.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question of what may happen to a cell that has accumulated a lot of DNA damage and/or mutations is:

The cell enters a dormant state and does not divide anymore (senescence).

The cell dies (apoptosis or programmed cell death).

The cell becomes a cancer cell due to unregulated cell division.