Contact inhibition

Definition

Contact inhibition is a regulatory mechanism that functions to keep cells from proliferating excessively by halting cell division when they come into contact with each other. This process is crucial for maintaining tissue architecture and preventing tumor formation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Contact inhibition prevents overcrowding of cells by stopping their growth when they touch neighboring cells.
2. Loss of contact inhibition is a hallmark of cancerous cells, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation.
3. Normal cells exhibit contact inhibition, while malignant cells often ignore these signals.
4. Viruses can disrupt contact inhibition by altering the cell's regulatory pathways, potentially leading to cancer.
5. The study of contact inhibition is important in cancer immunobiology and developing immunotherapies.

Review Questions

• What role does contact inhibition play in normal cell growth?
• How does the loss of contact inhibition contribute to cancer development?
• In what way can viruses affect contact inhibition?

Related terms

Anchorage Dependence: Requirement for a solid surface for cell growth and division.

Tumor Suppressor Genes: Genes that help prevent the formation of tumors by regulating cell growth.

Metastasis: The spread of cancer cells from the original site to other parts of the body.