Final answer:
Growth arrest in cells can occur due to lack of nutrients, DNA damage, and cellular stress—all factors that impede cell division to maintain genomic integrity and prevent conditions like cancer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cells may experience growth arrest due to a variety of factors. Lack of nutrients, DNA damage, and cellular stress are all capable of halting cell proliferation. Cells have a finite number of times they can divide, and as they age, mutations accumulate in DNA. Importantly, if DNA damage is severe and cannot be efficiently repaired, cells may enter a state of dormancy called senescence, or they might undergo apoptosis. Cellular checkpoints exist to ensure that damaged DNA is not passed on during cell division, and if repairs are not successful, growth arrest can prevent the transmission of mutations, which is crucial to avoid conditions such as cancer.
Environmental factors like exposure to mutagens can also cause DNA damage leading to growth arrest. Besides, cells can encounter stress due to overcrowding or inadequate hormonal signals like human growth hormone (HGH), affecting their division. When the mechanisms regulating the cell cycle lose their effectiveness, such as through genetic abnormalities or environmental damage, this can lead to unchecked growth and tumorigenesis.