Various factors can lead to an increased N/C ratio, including: 1. Cellular Proliferation: Rapid cell division often results in larger nuclei as the cell prepares for mitosis. 2. Malignant Transformation: Cancerous cells frequently exhibit a high N/C ratio because of dysregulated cell growth and division. 3. Immature Cells: Immature or precursor cells, such as blasts in the bone marrow, typically have a higher N/C ratio. 4. Infection: Certain infections can cause cells to increase in size, thereby altering the N/C ratio.