Cancer Overview and Cell Behavior

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary characteristic that differentiates cancerous cells from normal cells?

Cancerous cells are specialized for their jobs.

Cancerous cells divide uncontrollably. (correct)

Cancerous cells perform a variety of functions.

Cancerous cells follow the rules of contact inhibition.

What term describes the tendency of cells to not divide when closely surrounded by other cells?

Contact Inhibition of Reproduction (correct)

Contact Inhibition of Movement

Metastasis

Cellular Senescence

Which type of tumor is considered harmful and can spread throughout the body?

Benign tumors

Non-cancerous growths

Calluses

Malignant tumors (correct)

Which category of cancer affects skin and nerve tissues?

Carcinomas Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason cells undergo cellular senescence?

Accumulation of damage over time Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process by which cancerous cells spread from their original site?

Metastasis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about benign tumors is true?

They can sometimes cause harm but are not cancerous. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of cancerous cells compared to normal cells?

They tend to pile up and form tumors. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of checking lymph nodes for cancer cells?

To assess the presence of cancer metastasis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a carcinogen?

Cholesterol Signup and view all the answers

What effect do viral agents like Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) have related to cancer?

They can lead to mutations that increase cancer risk Signup and view all the answers

How do oncogenes differ from proto-oncogenes?

Proto-oncogenes help cells grow properly, oncogenes cause cancer Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment plan would most likely be used if there is evidence of cancer metastasis?

Chemotherapy Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding chemotherapy?

It uses toxic chemical agents to kill cancer cells Signup and view all the answers

What do the terms 'metastasis' and 'aggressive' in cancer treatment imply?

The cancer is spreading and likely to grow quickly Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of surgical removal in cancer treatment?

To completely eradicate the cancerous tissue Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cancer Overview

Cancer involves abnormal cell growth and reproduction.
Normal cells have specialized functions and obey rules for growth, reproduction, and location.
Cancerous cells ignore these rules, leading to rapid division and tumor formation.

Cell Behavior and Cancer

Contact Inhibition: Normal cells stop dividing when they come into contact with other cells (preventing overcrowding).
Contact Inhibition of Movement: Normal cells maintain their position within tissues.
Contact Inhibition of Reproduction: Normal cells avoid dividing when there's no room.
Cellular Senescence: As a cell divides, its descendants have reduced ability to divide.
Cancer cells ignore these constraints, leading to uncontrolled growth.

Tumor Types

Not all tumors are cancerous. Benign tumors are non-cancerous.
Calluses, moles, and other similar growths are benign.
Cancerous tumors are called malignant.
Malignant tumors are classified according to the tissue type they affect:
- Carcinomas: Skin and nerve tissues
- Sarcomas: Bone and muscle tissues
- Lymphomas: Solid tumors in blood-forming and lymphatic tissues
- Leukemia: Cancers within white blood cells

Metastasis

Metastasis: The spread of cancer cells throughout the body.
Cancer cells often travel through lymphatic fluids.
Lymph nodes are frequently checked for cancer cells.

Cancer Causes

Carcinogens: Substances that damage DNA and cause mutations, leading to cancer. Examples include asbestos, UV light, benzene, tobacco, DDT, and radiation.
Viral Agents: Certain viruses can cause mutations in infected cells.
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Associated with increased risk of uterine and other reproductive cancers.
- Hepatitis Viruses (especially Hepatitis C): Associated with increased risk of liver cancer.
Cancer Genes:
- Oncogenes: Genes that, when mutated, can cause uncontrolled cell growth
- Proto-oncogenes: Normal genes that promote cell growth and division. These genes can be mutated and become oncogenes

Cancer Treatment

Cancer treatments aim to destroy cancerous cells.
Surgical removal: Directly removing cancerous tissue.
Radiation therapy: Using high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy: Using powerful drugs to kill cancer cells. More toxic to cancer cells, than normal cells, due to different metabolic rates.. It is generally used to treat advanced or aggressive cancers.

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamentals of cancer, focusing on abnormal cell growth and reproduction. It explains the differences between benign and malignant tumors, as well as important concepts like contact inhibition and cellular senescence. Test your knowledge on these crucial aspects of cancer biology.