Final answer:
Cancer is a disease caused by uncontrolled cell growth and division due to a breakdown in the regulation of the cell cycle. Damaged DNA and faulty instructions can lead to the production of dysfunctional proteins, allowing mistakes to be passed on to daughter cells. This can result in the formation of tumors and potentially fatal consequences.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cancer is a disease that occurs when the cell cycle is no longer regulated. When a cell's DNA becomes damaged, it can lead to uncontrolled cell growth and division. This disruption in the cell cycle can happen due to exposure to hazards like radiation or toxic chemicals. Faulty instructions in the DNA can lead to the production of proteins that do not function properly, allowing mistakes to be passed on to daughter cells. As a result, each successive cell division can lead to more accumulated damage. Eventually, checkpoints in the cell cycle become non-functional, and rapidly dividing cells can form a mass of abnormal cells called a tumor. Tumorous growth can damage tissues and organs, and if left untreated, can lead to death.