Honors Biology: Cancer Cells (Concept Maps) – Flashcards
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General characteristics of Cancer cells ....
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1. lack checkpoints; grow without inhibition 2. don't respond to signals at all 3. are not inhibited by other cells 4. will divide indefinitely
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Cancer is defined as ...
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- the uncontrolled growth of cells (immortal)
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Cancer is caused by mutations in ...
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the genes that make the proteins (checkpts) that regulate the cell cycle
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How are mutations formed?
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- by carcinogens in your environment - inherited from your parents
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Cancer cells may develop into a ...
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tumor
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Tumor is ...
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- an abnormal growing mass of body cells
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Two Tumor types are ...
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- benign (harmless, good) or malignant (harmful, bad)
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Benign if abnormal cells ...
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- remain at original site
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Benign can be problematic ...
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- if disrupt certain organs, but usually easily removed by surgery - example is like an abnormal mole - can be bad if it blocks off important organs
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Benign can become ...
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malignant
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Malignant if abnormal cells ...
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spread into other tissues and body parts, interrupting organ functions - lead to secondary organs
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Tumor Progression
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1. tumor growth 2. blood vessels feed the tumor 3. tumor cells have entered the blood and lymphatic systems 4. secondary tumors form in other parts of the body (breast + lung cancer)
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Treatment of Cancer
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- Surgically remove tumor (most effective when tumor is in a defined area) - Chemotherapy (stops growth of rapidly growing cells by damaging DNA + spindle fibers) - Radiation (damages DNA by high frequency x-rays)
