Final answer:
Somatic cells maintain genome stability through DNA repair mechanisms, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis. These strategies ensure the integrity of genetic information and prevent the accumulation of mutations that could result in cancer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Strategies used by somatic cells (SC's) to maintain genome stability include:
- DNA repair mechanisms
- Cell cycle regulation
- Apoptosis
Damage to the DNA's double helical structure is addressed by a variety of repair strategies, such as using the unmodified complementary strand as a template, or translesion synthesis as a last resort when no template is available. Cell cycle regulation ensures proper DNA replication during the S phase and the functioning of cell cycle checkpoints. Finally, apoptosis, or programmed cell death, eliminates cells that have sustained irreparable damage, preventing the propagation of errors that could lead to malfunctioning proteins and cancer.