Final answer:
Cancer cells are known for their ability to divide indefinitely, a capacity referred to as 'immortality.' They are part of a continuous cell line that evades normal cellular senescence and programmed death, leading to unregulated cell division and tumorigenesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cancer cells can divide indefinitely, which is also known as immortality. These cells are part of a continuous cell line derived from transformed cells or tumors. In the context of cancer, cells lose their capacity for senescence, leading to limitless replicative potential. In addition, they may acquire sustained angiogenesis, which is necessary for the tumor to grow beyond the limitations of passive nutrient diffusion.
Normal cells, when they have DNA damage or become damaged, often go into an irreversible state of dormancy known as senescence, or initiate programmed cell death. However, cancerous cells tend to by-pass these safety mechanisms and continue to propagate, which can lead to tumors and the potential spread of cancer throughout various parts of the body.