What cellular characteristic is associated with cancer cells?

High metabolic activity is characteristic of cancer cells due to their increased demand for energy and resources to support rapid growth and proliferation. Cancer cells often have altered metabolism, relying heavily on processes such as glycolysis even in the presence of oxygen—known as the Warburg effect. This allows them to produce both energy and essential building blocks needed for synthesizing macromolecules like DNA, RNA, and proteins, which are crucial for cell division.

In addition to their increased metabolic activity, cancer cells typically exhibit features like uncontrolled growth and an ability to evade normal cellular regulation mechanisms, further contributing to their aggressive nature. Understanding this characteristic is essential for developing therapies that target the unique metabolic pathways utilized by cancer cells.