A cell with a highly abnormal karyotype experiences stresses due to imbalances in intracellular protein composition. Cells respond to these stresses (shown as orange-shaded boxes) by degrading excess proteins or by engaging chaperones that shield cells from the adverse effects of these protein imbalances. Metabolic activity is also increased in aneuploid cells precipitated by the increased demand for energy to produce the additional proteins and neutralize their effects. The consequences of aneuploidy (shown as blue-shaded boxes), increased sensitivity to conditions that interfere with protein synthesis and turn-over as well as an increase need for energy could be exploited in cancer therapies. Intracellular structures not to scale.