What term describes the rapid growth of cells?

The term that describes the rapid growth of cells is hyperplasia. Hyperplasia refers to an increase in the number of cells in a tissue or organ, which can lead to its enlargement. This process is usually a response to a stimulus, such as hormonal changes or increased functional demand, and is common in both normal physiological conditions (like the growth of breast tissue during pregnancy) and in pathological conditions (such as the enlargement of the prostate gland in benign prostatic hyperplasia).

In contrast, hypertrophy refers to the increase in the size of existing cells rather than an increase in cell number. Atrophy refers to the decrease in size or wasting away of an organ or tissue, often due to a lack of use or reduced blood supply. Apoptosis involves programmed cell death, which is a normal part of growth and development as well as a mechanism for eliminating damaged or unnecessary cells. This distinction is important in understanding cellular responses to various physiological and pathological conditions.