Explain6 marksChallenge
The epidermis (outer layer of skin) is constantly exposed to environmental damage, leading to the death of surface cells. The basal layer of the epidermis contains stem cells that divide to replace these lost cells. The cell cycle in these stem cells must be tightly controlled to maintain healthy skin. Occasionally, mutations occur that disrupt the regulation of the cell cycle, potentially leading to uncontrolled cell division and tumour formation.
Explain why mitosis is essential for maintaining healthy skin tissue, and describe the potential consequences if the cell cycle becomes uncontrolled in skin cells. In your answer, include:
- the role of stem cells
- the structure of chromosomes (including telomeres)
- the phases of the cell cycle that ensure genetic identity between daughter cells