Final answer:
HPV infected basal cells become larger in size and may have two nuclei instead of one. In some cases, the infected basal cells can progress to invasive cervical cancer.
Step-by-step explanation:
When basal cells become infected with human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection, they undergo certain changes. The infected basal cells become larger in size and may have two nuclei instead of one, which is the normal number. These changes can be observed under a light microscope, such as in a Pap smear, where infected cells appear larger and abnormal compared to normal cells. In most cases, cells infected with HPV heal on their own. However, in some cases, the virus can continue to spread and lead to invasive cervical cancer. In this progression, the infected basal cells may undergo further changes and become cancerous.