Cell division is the process by which one cell splits into two new cellsThe cell is the basic building block of the human body, a tiny, microscopic (too small to see without a magnifying tool like a microscope) unit that works together with billions of other cells to form every part of the body, from the skin to the heart. Each cell is… Read More. This is how our bodies grow, replace old cells, and heal injuries.

Normal cells go through a carefully controlled cycle of growth and division.
CancerImagine your body as a well-organized society, where each cell plays a specific role. Cancer disrupts this harmony, as a group of cells goes rogue, breaking the rules of normal growth and function. These renegade cells multiply uncontrollably, forming tumors that invade and damage surrounding tissues. Origins of the Word… Read More: Division Out of Control

Cancer cells are essentially normal cells that have lost the ability to control their division. They divide too often and too quickly, forming clumps of cells called tumors.

The word “Division”:

Latin Root: The word “division” comes from the Latin word “dividere,” which means “to divide” or “to separate.”

Literal Meaning in Cell Division When a cell divides, the cell’s contents are literally divided between two new “daughter” cells. This includes the cell’s DNADNA, short for Deoxyribonucleic Acid, is like the secret instruction manual inside every living cell. It contains all the genetic information needed to build and maintain an organism, including humans! Imagine DNA as a complex cookbook with recipes for all the different parts that make you, you. • Synonyms: Well-documented synonyms… Read More (genetic instructions), which is copied before the split.

Why It Matters for Cancer

The uncontrolled, rapid division of cancer cells is a fundamental characteristic of the disease. That’s why many cancer treatments, like chemotherapyChemotherapy (often shortened to “chemo”) is a type of cancer treatment that uses powerful medicine to destroy cancer cells. It works by stopping or slowing down the growth of fast-dividing cells, and cancer cells happen to grow and divide much faster than most healthy cells. Cellular Growth: • Our body… Read More, focus on trying to stop or slow down this abnormalWhat does “abnormally” mean?”Abnormally” means something is different from what’s usual, regular, or expected. It’s like something is out of the ordinary. Imagine you have a line of evenly spaced trees. If one tree is much taller or shorter than the others, it would look “abnormally” tall or short. Here’s… Read More cell division.