In the table below, a histologist has looked at three different tissues and identified the stage of the cell cycle of 100 of its cells. Using the table below, choose the cell type most likely to be represented by the data.

Number of cells in each stage of the cell cycle (per 100 cells):

\begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|c|c|c|c|}
\hline Tissue Sample & Prophase & Metaphase & Anaphase & Telophase & Interphase \\
\hline nerve cells (neurons) & 0 & 0 & 0 & 0 & 100 \\
\hline skin cells (epithelial cells) & 3 & 6 & 4 & 7 & 80 \\
\hline melanoma (skin cancer) & 3 & 1 & 1 & 3 & 92 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}

Generally, tissues that are rapidly dividing will have fewer cells in interphase compared to slowly dividing cells.

A mutation in the gene for checkpoint protein can lead to rapid cell growth.



Answer :

To determine which cell type is most likely represented by the data in the table, we need to analyze the distribution of cells in different stages of the cell cycle for each tissue. The main insight here is that tissues that are rapidly dividing will have fewer cells in interphase compared to slowly dividing cells.

### Definitions and Insight
- Interphase is the stage where the cell is not actively dividing; it is preparing for cell division.
- Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase are the stages of mitosis (active cell division).

Given that rapidly dividing tissues have fewer cells in interphase, we'll look at the percentage of cells in interphase for each tissue and determine which tissue has the fewest cells in interphase. The lower the percentage of cells in interphase, the more actively the cells are dividing.

### Data Provided
- Nerve cells (neurons)
- Prophase: 0
- Metaphase: 0
- Anaphase: 0
- Telophase: 0
- Interphase: 100

- Skin cells (epithelial cells)
- Prophase: 3
- Metaphase: 6
- Anaphase: 4
- Telophase: 7
- Interphase: 80

- Melanoma (skin cancer)
- Prophase: 3
- Metaphase: 1
- Anaphase: 1
- Telophase: 3
- Interphase: 92

### Analysis
1. Nerve cells (neurons)
- Interphase: 100 cells
- Conclusion: All cells (100%) are in interphase, indicating they are very slow or non-dividing.

2. Skin cells (epithelial cells)
- Interphase: 80 cells
- Conclusion: 80% of the cells are in interphase, indicating some level of active cell division.

3. Melanoma (skin cancer)
- Interphase: 92 cells
- Conclusion: 92% of the cells are in interphase, indicating a low level but higher than skin cells of cell division.

### Conclusion
- Nerve cells (neurons) are least likely to be rapidly dividing as all their cells are in interphase.
- Melanoma (skin cancer) has fewer cells in interphase compared to nerve cells but more than skin cells.
- Skin cells (epithelial cells) have the fewest cells in interphase (80%), which suggests they are actively dividing.

Thus, skin cells (epithelial cells) are the tissues most likely to be represented by rapidly dividing cells due to the lowest percentage of cells in interphase at 80%.