Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): Cancer cells continue to divide and form masses of cells called tumors. Reason (R): Cancer cells appear to have lost the property of contact inhibition. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Step-by-step solution

Normal cells exhibit a property called contact inhibition, which prevents their uncontrolled growth when they come in contact with other cells. Cancer cells lose this property of contact inhibition. As a direct result of this loss, they continue to divide uncontrollably, leading to the formation of masses of cells known as tumors. Therefore, both the Assertion and the Reason are true, and the Reason correctly explains the cellular mechanism behind the Assertion. Answer: Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true an