Question

Indicate true (T) and false (F) statements below regarding cell proliferation in human somatic cancer cells. Your answer would be a four-letter string composed of letters T and F only, e.g. TFFF. [13]

( ) Cancer cells show replicative cell senescence.
( ) Cancer cells maintain their telomeres by inhibiting the enzyme telomerase.
( ) Some cancer cells do not rely on telomerase for telomere lengthening.
( ) Most cancer cells lack telomeres.

Answer 1

The correct four-letter string answer is FFTF. Cancer cells typically avoid replicative senescence by activating telomerase, which extends their telomeres, enabling them to keep proliferating. While some cancer cells use alternative methods for telomere lengthening, it is incorrect to say that most cancer cells lack telomeres.

Step-by-step explanation:

The true (T) and false (F) statements regarding cell proliferation in human somatic cancer cells are as follows:

• (F) Cancer cells show replicative cell senescence.
• (F) Cancer cells maintain their telomeres by inhibiting the enzyme telomerase.
• (T) Some cancer cells do not rely on telomerase for telomere lengthening.
• (F) Most cancer cells lack telomeres.

The correct four-letter string answer is FFTF.

Cancer cells generally bypass the normal process of replicative cell senescence due to the activation of telomerase, which lengthens telomeres and allows cancer cells to divide indefinitely. While most cancer cells use telomerase to maintain telomere length, some use alternative mechanisms. Furthermore, it is incorrect to state that cancer cells lack telomeres; they have shortened telomeres, but they are generally present.