2001 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2001 · General Studies
Question 137: Science and Technology
“Metastasis” is the process by which
acells divide rapidly under the influence of drugs
bcancer cells spread through the blood or lymphatic system to other sites or organs
cthe chromosomes in cell nuclei are attached to the spindle before moving to the anaphase poles
dcancer cells are successfully inhibited to divide any further
AnswerThe answer is (b).
Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original tumour through the blood or lymphatic system to other organs, where they form secondary tumours. This is what makes malignant cancer so dangerous and hard to treat. Remember that benign tumours do not metastasise, while malignant ones do.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Rapid cell division under drugs is not metastasis.
- (b) Right: spread of cancer cells to other sites.
- (c) Attachment of chromosomes to the spindle describes metaphase.
- (d) Inhibited division is the opposite of what happens in cancer.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2001, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.