Chemotherapy Biotherapy Certification ONS Practice Testq

Which of the following cell types has a higher likelihood of entering the G0 phase?

1. Hair follicles

2. Cancer cells

3. Neurons

4. Red blood cells

The correct answer is: Hair follicles

The correct answer is that hair follicles have a higher likelihood of entering the G0 phase. The G0 phase is known as a resting or quiescent phase where cells are not actively dividing. It is often associated with differentiated cells or those with specific functions that do not require constant proliferation. Hair follicle cells, particularly the stem cells found in the hair follicle, can enter the G0 phase to maintain tissue homeostasis. They can remain in this state until stimulated to enter the cell cycle again, typically due to signals from the surrounding environment, such as during the hair growth cycle. In contrast, cancer cells typically exhibit uncontrolled growth and division, showing a preference for the active phases of the cell cycle rather than entering a quiescent state. Neurons, once differentiated, also tend to enter a G0 phase but do so primarily because they have exited the cell cycle to fulfill specialized functions, making them less likely to re-enter it than hair follicle cells. Red blood cells, on the other hand, do not divide at all; they are anucleate and do not enter the cell cycle in any phase after their maturation. Thus, hair follicles are highly relevant in this context because they possess the ability to enter and exit the G