Cancer cells and Normal cells are two types of cells that differ from each other in many aspects. A cell is the tiniest unit that is present in an organism, that makes its food and can live on its own.
Anything that is termed normal has the capability of functioning normally. But, the cancer cells are not normal. Although both cells have some similarities, they are fundamentally different in some other ways.
Cancer cells are those cells that form solid tumours or form abnormal cells in the blood.
On the other hand, Normal cells are those cells that function normally and provide the right or correct amount of nutrients to each body part of an organism.
Key Takeaways
- Cancer cells grow and divide uncontrollably, while normal cells follow a regulated growth cycle.
- Normal cells have a limited lifespan and undergo programmed cell death, while cancer cells evade this process and become immortal.
- Cancer cells can migrate to other body parts and form new tumors, whereas normal cells remain in their original location and function.
Cancer Cells vs Normal Cells
In cancer cells, there is uncontrolled growth, while in normal cells, the growth stops after a point. Unlike normal cells, Cancer cells don’t respond to signals from other cells. Cancer cells are neither repaired nor replaced, however normal cells that are aged/damaged can get replaced or repaired.
Cancer cells are those cells that do not follow the cycle of a normal cell. It does not die instead, it produces abnormal cells that are harmful and dangerous for an organism.
The Cancer cells have an abnormal number of chromosomes, also their DNA becomes abnormal. These abnormal cells can further transfer themselves into different parts of the body, which is harmful.
On the other hand, Normal cells are those cells that follow a certain cycle, where the cell grows, divides and further dies in an organism.
This is an ongoing process of the cells, where the unwanted cells are removed and normal in an organism. Normal cells have a normal number of chromosomes and have normal DNA.
These normal cells provide the correct amount of nutrients to the different parts of the body.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Cancer Cells | Normal Cells |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Cancer cells are those cells that do not follow the normal cycle of a cell, and instead, it produces and multiplies the abnormal cells in an organism. | Normal cells follow a certain cycle, where they grow, divide, and die n an organism. |
| Shape | The shape and size of cancer cells are irregular or abnormal. | The shape and size of a normal cell are regular. |
| Chromosomes and DNA | Cancer cells have abnormal chromosomes and DNA. | Normal cells have a normal number of chromosomes and DNA. |
| Body Acceptance | The Cancer cells do not follow the signals of the body. Therefore, the right amount of nutrients do not reach the different parts of the body. | The Normal cells follow the signals of the body and the correct amount of nutrients reach the different parts of the body. |
| Cell Maturation | The Cancer cells divide quickly and it does not get time to mature itself to become a specialized cell for a particular organ. | The Normal cells mature themselves properly to become specialized cells for a particular organ. |
| Immune System | The Cancer cells weaken the immune system of an organism. The cancer cells produce abnormal cells which decline the body to accept the normal cells and allows tumors to grow. | The Normal cells do not weaken an organism’s immune system, as it provides the correct amount of nutrients to the body. |
What are Cancer Cells?
Cancer cells are those cells that do not follow the normal cycle of a cell, instead, it produces and multiply the number of abnormal cells in an organism.
These abnormal cells are very harmful and dangerous for the body. It has an unusual structure as compared to a normal cell. Cancer cells have abnormal chromosomes and DNA.
The Cancer cells do not follow the signals of the body, as the body finds it confusing to interact with the irregular process of the cell. Therefore, the right amount of nutrients does not reach the different parts of the body.
These cells can spread from one place to the other. The Cancer cells divide quickly, and it does not get time to mature itself to become a specialized cell for a particular organ.
Also, these cells do not respond to the other cells as normal cells do. The Cancer cells can not repair themselves and form a new normal cell.
The Cancer cells weaken the immune system of an organism. The cancer cells produce abnormal cells, which decline the body to accept the normal cells and allow tumours to grow.
It enables an organism to function properly. These cells produce tumours that might be deadly sometimes.
Proper medication, at the correct time, can cure the cells and can stop the diseases.
What are Normal Cells?
Normal cells are those cells that follow a certain cycle where they grow, divide, and die in an organism. These cells replace the unwanted cells with new cells.
The shape and size of a normal cell are regular, and it is not irregular as the cancer cells. The normal produces only the required number of cells, and the unwanted cells die.
Normal cells have a normal number of chromosomes and DNA. Normal cells follow the signals of the body, and the correct amount of nutrients reaches the different parts of the body.
These cells produce some kind of sticky substance that keeps them together and further processes. It stays in a particular region and does not spread like cancer cells.
The normal cells do not weaken an organism’s immune system, as it provides the correct amount of nutrients to the body.
The normal cells only perform the assigned functions as they are meant to and do not disturb any other functions. These cells also responses the nearby cells and co-operate work together.
Main Differences Between Cancer Cells and Normal Cells
- Cancer cells are those cells that do not follow the normal cycle of a cell, instead, it produces and multiply the abnormal cells in an organism. On the other hand, Normal cells are those cells that follow a certain cycle where they grow, divide and, die in an organism.
- The shape and size of a cancer cell are irregular or abnormal. On the other hand, the shape and size of a normal cell are regular.
- Cancer cells have abnormal chromosomes and DNA. On the other hand, Normal cells have a normal number of chromosomes and DNA.
- The Cancer cells do not follow the signals of the body. Therefore, the right amount of nutrients does not reach different parts of the body. On the other hand, the Normal cells follow the signals of the body, and the correct amount of nutrients reach different parts of the body.
- The Cancer cells divide quickly, and it does not get time to mature itself to become a specialized cell for a particular organ. On the other hand, Normal cells mature themselves properly to become specialized cells for a particular organ.
- Cancer cells weaken the immune system of an organism, and The cancer cells produce abnormal cells, which decline the body to accept the normal cells and allow tumours to grow. On the other hand, normal cells do not weaken the immune system of an organism, as it provides the correct amount of nutrients to the body.
- https://clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/6/4/1524.short
- https://www.jbc.org/article/S0021-9258(20)53374-7/abstract
Last Updated : 04 August, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
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