What does contact inhibition do to cell growth?

Contact inhibition is a regulatory mechanism that prevents cells from dividing when they come into contact with one another. Specifically, it signals cells to stop proliferating when they are densely packed, effectively controlling cell growth. This is a crucial aspect of maintaining tissue organization and preventing uncontrolled cell division, which can lead to tumor formation.

The correct choice focuses on the inhibition of another cell's growth due to this contact. In a healthy organism, cells will stop growing and dividing when they encounter other cells, thereby inhibiting further growth in that area. This property of cells is essential for maintaining proper tissue architecture and function.

In contrast, while other options mention processes such as increased growth, movement, or metastasis, these do not accurately reflect the role of contact inhibition. In a non-cancerous state, cells that are in contact with each other will not advance in the cell cycle, which is pivotal for preventing abnormal growth patterns that can lead to cancerous behavior.