When something goes wrong with how cells divide, it can lead to some serious problems. Here are a few important effects:
Cancer: One of the biggest issues is cancer. If the control systems for the cell cycle don’t work properly, cells might start to divide too much. This can form tumors, which can be harmless (benign) or harmful (malignant).
Genetic Changes: Mistakes can happen when DNA is copied during the cell cycle, causing changes called mutations. If these mistakes are not fixed, they can be passed to new cells and might lead to problems or even sickness.
Ignoring Cell Death: Sometimes, problems with the cell cycle can let damaged cells avoid normal death processes, known as apoptosis. These “survivor” cells can form cancer or interfere with how healthy tissues work.
Aging: With each cell division, telomeres (which are like protective caps on the ends of chromosomes) get shorter. If the cell cycle goes out of control, this can speed up aging inside our cells, leading to diseases that come with getting older.
In summary, keeping the cell cycle balanced is really important. If things go wrong, it can have big effects on our health and how long we live!
When something goes wrong with how cells divide, it can lead to some serious problems. Here are a few important effects:
Cancer: One of the biggest issues is cancer. If the control systems for the cell cycle don’t work properly, cells might start to divide too much. This can form tumors, which can be harmless (benign) or harmful (malignant).
Genetic Changes: Mistakes can happen when DNA is copied during the cell cycle, causing changes called mutations. If these mistakes are not fixed, they can be passed to new cells and might lead to problems or even sickness.
Ignoring Cell Death: Sometimes, problems with the cell cycle can let damaged cells avoid normal death processes, known as apoptosis. These “survivor” cells can form cancer or interfere with how healthy tissues work.
Aging: With each cell division, telomeres (which are like protective caps on the ends of chromosomes) get shorter. If the cell cycle goes out of control, this can speed up aging inside our cells, leading to diseases that come with getting older.
In summary, keeping the cell cycle balanced is really important. If things go wrong, it can have big effects on our health and how long we live!