Name: Daniel O.
Status: Student
Age: 19
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: July 2004
Question:
How does the cell know how and when to commence DNA
replication?
Replies:
Most of the time the signals are chemical. Cells follow "rules of behavior", one
of which is called contact inhibition. When cells are being touched on all sides
(except sometimes the top when in a culture dish or at the surface of the skin)
they are not dividing. As soon as a cell is damaged or dies, chemicals are
released that signal the cell to begin replicating it DNA and then the cell
divides to make a new cell.
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