Question

Which phenomenon inhibits the formation of tumors in the human body? Can plants also develop tumors? Explain.

Answer 1

Contact inhibition is the phenomenon that prevents tumors from growing in the human body. Cell division typically stops in many animal cells when they come into contact with adjacent cells. This stops the cells from growing out of control and regulates cell division. Tumors are created when cancer cells lose this control and continue to grow.

Due to their stiff cell walls and distinct development pattern, plant cells do not exhibit contact inhibition. Unlike malignant tumors in animals, isolated tumor-like growths in plants do not spread throughout the plant body.