What is a consequence of altered cyclin levels in cells?

Altered levels of cyclins can lead to unregulated cell growth, as cyclins play a crucial role in the regulation of the cell cycle. Cyclins are proteins whose levels fluctuate throughout the cell cycle and are essential for activating cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). When cyclin levels are abnormal, it can disrupt the precise timing and control of the cell cycle checkpoints.

For example, if cyclin levels are excessively high, the pathways that promote progression through the cell cycle can become overactive, leading to uncontrolled cell division. This unregulated cell growth is a hallmark of cancerous transformations, where cells continue to proliferate despite not receiving the normal signals required for division.

Therefore, the consequence of altered cyclin levels directly correlates with the ability of cells to grow and divide uncontrollably, which is why this option correctly reflects the implications of such changes in cyclin concentration.