Which one of the following is not a property of cancerous cells whereas the remaining three are

Options

A. They do not remain confined in the area of formation
B. They divide in an uncontrolled manner
C. They show contact inhibition
D. They compete with normal cells for vital nutrients

Answer

To determine which property is not characteristic of cancerous cells, we will analyze each of the four options provided in the question.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Cancerous Cells**: Cancerous cells are characterized by uncontrolled growth and the ability to invade surrounding tissues. They often do not adhere to the normal regulatory mechanisms that control cell division and growth.

2. **Analyzing Option 1**: "They do not remain confined in an area of formation."
- Cancerous cells can invade other tissues and spread to different parts of the body (metastasis). This statement is true for cancerous cells.

3. **Analyzing Option 2**: "They divide in an uncontrolled manner."
- Cancer cells are known for their uncontrolled division. This statement is also true for cancerous cells.

4. **Analyzing Option 3**: "They show contact inhibition."
- Contact inhibition is a property of normal cells where they stop dividing when they come into contact with other cells. Cancerous cells, however, do not exhibit this property; they continue to grow and pile up even when in contact with other cells. This statement is false for cancerous cells.

5. **Analyzing Option 4**: "They compete with normal cells for vital nutrients."
- Cancer cells often outcompete normal cells for nutrients, which is a characteristic of their aggressive growth. This statement is true for cancerous cells.

6. **Conclusion**: Based on the analysis, the option that is NOT a property of cancerous cells is **Option 3: "They show contact inhibition."**

### Final Answer:
The correct answer is **Option C: They show contact inhibition.**