Cancer Biology

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary cause of cancer in the body?

Uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body (correct)

Mutations in connective tissue

Accumulation of detrimental variation in the genome over the course of a lifetime

Inherited mutations in germ cells

Which type of cancer arises from epithelial tissue found in the internal and external lining of the body?

Carcinoma (correct)

Sarcoma

Lymphoma

Leukemia

What is the effect of an inactivating mutation on a gene?

Increases the production of RNA or protein

Causes the gene to be expressed at the wrong time, at the wrong level, or with a new function

Has no effect on the gene's function

Causes reduced function of a gene (correct)

What is the primary difference between somatic mutations and germline mutations?

Germline mutations are inherited, while somatic mutations are acquired Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Two Hit Hypothesis?

To explain why individuals with one mutated gene allele are not affected by cancer Signup and view all the answers

What is the increased risk for women who inherit a BRCA1/2 mutation?

Breast cancer Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of activating mutations in oncogenes?

Causes the gene to be expressed at the wrong time, at the wrong level, or with a new function Signup and view all the answers

What is the type of cancer that arises from connective tissue found in bones, tendons, cartilage, muscle, and fat?

Sarcoma Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the immune system in the human body?

To surveil and destroy foreign cells, viruses, and pathogens Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following cells are responsible for engulfing and destroying foreign particles?

Macrophages and natural killer cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of PDL-1 and PDL-2 antigens in cancer cells?

To inhibit the immune response against cancer cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of the presence of a tumor in the body?

An inflammatory signal that brings red blood cells to the tumor site Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process by which tumor cells move from the primary tumor to a different organ via lymph and/or blood?

Metastasis Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of benign tumors?

Ability to grow uncontrollably but not invade neighboring tissue Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common secondary site for cancer metastasis?

Lung and liver Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary consequence of metastasis?

Increased risk of mortality and morbidity Signup and view all the answers

What must happen to both copies of a gene for it to be cancer-inducing?

Both copies of the gene must be affected Signup and view all the answers

What happens to normal human cells after they reach the Hayflick's limit?

They go into the G0 phase of the cell cycle Signup and view all the answers

What enables cancer cells to exceed the Hayflick's limit?

The ability to elongate their telomeres using telomerase Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the tumor suppressor gene p53?

To stop the cell cycle upon detection of DNA damage Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why organisms with traits that help them survive and reproduce are more likely to pass their characteristics to their offspring?

Because they are more adapted to their environment Signup and view all the answers

What happens to normal cells in response to abundant DNA damage and other cellular stresses?

They initiate apoptosis Signup and view all the answers

How do cancer cells avoid normal growth suppressor signals?

By avoiding the G1 checkpoint Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of variation existing among individuals within a population?

It provides the raw material for evolution to occur Signup and view all the answers

Why do cancer cells have the ability to proliferate?

Due to the over-activity of oncogenes Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary driver of evolutionary change in a population?

Natural selection Signup and view all the answers

What is the fate of an individual with variations that make them poorly adapted to their environment?

They are less likely to survive and reproduce Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference in glucose breakdown between normal and cancer cells?

Normal cells break down glucose to pyruvate, while cancer cells break it down to lactate Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated percentage of species that have ever lived on Earth that have become extinct?

99% Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between gradualism and the alternative theory of evolution?

The rate of evolutionary change Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between an organism's genotype and phenotype?

The genotype determines the phenotype Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary outcome of evolution occurring in a population over time?

The population's genes and their frequencies change Signup and view all the answers

What is punctuated equilibrium?

A theory that speciation occurs rapidly, with long periods of genetic equilibrium Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of breeding animals with desired traits to produce offspring with those traits?

Selective breeding Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for creating an organism that is an exact genetic copy of another?

Cloning Signup and view all the answers

What is the risk of inbreeding?

Higher risk of recessive genetic disorders Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for breeding two individuals with unlike characteristics to produce the best in both organisms?

Hybridization Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of punctuated equilibrium?

Rapid speciation followed by long periods of genetic equilibrium Signup and view all the answers

What is genetic engineering used for?

To create genetically modified organisms (GMOs) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the breeding of organisms that are genetically similar to maintain desired traits?

Inbreeding Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

What is Cancer?

Cancer is caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body
Caused by an accumulation of detrimental variations in the genome over a lifetime

Types of Cancer

Carcinoma: arises in epithelial tissue in internal and external linings of the body
Adenocarcinomas develop in organs or glands
Squamous cell carcinomas develop in squamous epithelium of organs, including skin, bladder, esophagus, and lung
Sarcoma: arises from connective tissue in bones, tendons, cartilage, muscle, and fat
Leukemia: cancers of the blood that originate in bone marrow
Lymphoma: cancers of the lymph system

Mutations

Activating mutations: cause genes to be expressed at the wrong time, level, or function
Inactivating mutations: reduce function of a gene (less RNA or protein is made)
Somatic mutations: acquired by somatic cells (all cells except eggs or sperm) and passed to daughter cells
Germline mutations (inherited mutations): present in germ cells (eggs or sperm) and inherited by offspring

Two Hit Hypothesis

Humans have two copies of every gene (diploid): one maternal, one paternal
Both copies of the gene must be affected for a gene to be cancer-inducing

Cellular Hallmarks of Cancer

Normal human cells have a finite ability to undergo mitosis due to telomere shortening
Cancer cells can exceed Hayflick's limit and continue to undergo mitosis
Cancer cells elongate telomeres using telomerase
Cancer cells avoid normal growth suppressor signals in the G1 checkpoint
Tumor suppressor genes, like p53, regulate cell death and proliferation
Cancer cells have altered metabolism, proliferating and diverting metabolites for useful processes
Cancer cells evade immune surveillance and can inhibit T cells with PDL-1/PDL-2 antigen

Metastasis

The process by which tumor cells move from the primary tumor to a different organ via lymph and/or blood
Benign tumors are masses of cells that cannot invade neighboring tissue or metastasize
Malignant tumors are capable of invading neighboring tissue and metastasizing
Dangers of metastasis include treatment for pain, and the need for ongoing treatment

Evolution

The scientific theory that all living organisms on Earth descended from a common ancestor
Principles of Darwinian Evolution: variation, heritability, overproduction, reproductive advantage, and adaptation
Natural Selection: organisms with traits that help them survive and reproduce pass their characteristics to their offspring
Variation exists among individuals within a population
Extinction is a natural and important part of evolution

Genetic Engineering

Changing the DNA in living organisms to create something new
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are the result of genetic engineering
Artificial selection: breeders choose which organisms to mate to produce offspring with desired traits
Hybridization: crossing two individuals with unlike characteristics to produce the best in both organisms
Inbreeding: breeding of organisms that are genetically similar to maintain desired traits

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Description

This quiz covers the basics of cancer, including its causes, types, and characteristics. Learn about the abnormal cell division and genetic mutations that lead to cancer.