AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Cancer cells tend to form new cells more quickly than normal cells and this makes them a better target for chemotherapy drugs. However, chemo drugs can’t tell the difference between healthy cells and cancer cells.

Detailed explanation-2: -Chemotherapy targets cells that rapidly divide, such as cancer cells, but it can also damage other cells in your body that rapidly divide such as hair, skin, blood, and intestinal cells. Damage to these cells can lead to many potential side effects such as nausea, hair loss, and mouth sores.

Detailed explanation-3: -This is why chemotherapy is typically given in cycles. Chemotherapy is most effective at killing cells that are rapidly dividing. Unfortunately, chemotherapy does not know the difference between cancer cells and the normal cells. The “normal” cells will grow back and be healthy but in the meantime, side effects occur.

Detailed explanation-4: -Chemotherapy not only kills fast-growing cancer cells, but also kills or slows the growth of healthy cells that grow and divide quickly. Examples are cells that line your mouth and intestines and those that cause your hair to grow.