Question

The most common thing, between the webbed fingers and toes in humans and the development of cancer cells, is
A. Both are caused by excessive cell growth
B. Both are caused by a loss of apoptosis
C. Both are a result of exposure to carcinogenic compounds
D. Both are caused by excessive fat-soluble vitamin levels
E. Both are caused by infections from cancer-associated viruses.

Answer 1

Hint: Webbed fingers and toes refer to the flap of thin skin found between the digitates of the limbs. Webs are most commonly in frogs. In the case of humans, they are slightly persistent. Cancer is the uncontrolled division of the cells that results in the formation of a painless tumor.

Complete answer: Webbed fingers and toes in humans as well as cancer cells are abnormal conditions. They are caused by the absence of apoptosis. Apoptosis is a condition of cellular suicide or programmed cell death. During the 16th week of gestation, if the apoptosis is absent then there is an uncontrolled growth of cells known as the proliferation of the cells. Apoptosis helps in the dissolution of the tissues between the fingers and the toes. It leads to the removal of the older cells. These older cells are replaced by newer cells. However, due to the lack of apoptosis, the cells continue to divide uncontrollably. A similar condition occurs during cancer also. Due to the lack of apoptosis, the cells lose their property of contact inhibition. They continue to divide rapidly at an unprecedented and uncontrollable rate. Due to this reason, a lump or mass of cells is formed that is known as the tumor and the disease is known as cancer. Thus, based on the above information we can conclude that the most common thing, between the webbed fingers and toes in humans and the development of cancer cells, is that both are caused by a loss of apoptosis.
Hence, the correct answer to this question is option (B).

Note: Apoptosis is often confused with necrosis. However, both the terms are not synonymous with each other. Necrosis is the death of the cells due to injury whereas apoptosis is the natural death of the cells due to aging. Apoptosis is an orderly process where the contents of the cell are packaged into small membrane packets for the collection of the garbage via the immune cells.