Why are components such as DNA replication ideal targets for chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy often targets components like DNA replication because cancer cells are characterized by their rapid division. This rapid division creates a high dependency on DNA replication processes, making these components critical for the survival and proliferation of cancer cells. When chemotherapy disrupts DNA replication, it effectively halts the cancer cell's ability to divide and grow, ultimately leading to cell death.

In contrast, normal cells, while they also undergo replication, are not as reliant on this process at the same pace as cancer cells, especially in differentiated tissues. Therefore, chemotherapy can be more effective against cancer cells that are actively dividing. The strategic targeting of DNA replication helps ensure that the treatment primarily affects the swiftly proliferating cancer cells while minimizing the impact on normal cells that may divide less frequently, thus allowing for a more effective treatment strategy.