What is anchorage dependence and how does is work in normal cells and what happens if a normal cell is not \"anchored\"? Solution Anchorage dependence is required for normal cells for their attachment to the surface and for growth and division. Cells proliferate only when attached to the surface. The cells are adhered to other cells, extracellular matrix and to culture plate. If the anchorage dependent cell loses the anchorage property then the cell will die. The cellls are anchored by receptors, tight junctions. It a normal cell is not anchored then it will not survive and is unable to grow and multiply..