Cell Death and Cancer Biology

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of apoptosis?

  • Cellular differentiation
  • Uncontrolled cell division
  • Cellular repair
  • Programmed cell death (correct)

During development, which type of cells typically undergo apoptosis?

  • Muscle cells
  • Interdigital web cells (correct)
  • Bone cells
  • Skin cells

How does apoptosis enhance immune system function?

  • Removes self-reactive immune cells (correct)
  • Increases the number of B and T cells
  • Reduces antibody production
  • Inhibits pathogen clearance

What can result from failed apoptosis in immune cells?

<p>Autoimmune conditions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes necrosis as opposed to apoptosis?

<p>Swelling organelles and membrane rupture (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes cancer cells from normal cells?

<p>Immortality and metastasis (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does angiogenesis refer to?

<p>Formation of new blood vessels (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of telomerase in cancer cells?

<p>Maintains telomere length (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which cells are responsible for providing oxygen and nutrients to tumors during cancer progression?

<p>Angiogenic cells (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of mutation in proto-oncogenes can lead to cancer?

<p>Gain-of-function mutations (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of lysosomes during the process of autophagy?

<p>Digesting cellular waste (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor significantly contributes to cancer deaths worldwide?

<p>Preventable risk factors (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do adult stem cells differ from embryonic stem cells in terms of differentiation potential?

<p>They have limited differentiation potential. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What triggers the process of autophagy within cells?

<p>Cellular stress such as starvation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic structural change in cells undergoing apoptosis?

<p>DNA fragmentation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What therapeutic purpose does stem cell transplantation serve?

<p>To repair or replace damaged tissues and organs (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines a totipotent stem cell?

<p>Ability to develop into all cell types, including extra-embryonic tissues (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the cell cycle when tumor suppressor genes are inactive?

<p>Uncontrolled cell division may occur (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is apoptosis?

A process of controlled cell death that eliminates unwanted or damaged cells.

Which cells undergo apoptosis during development?

Cells that are eliminated during development, like those forming the webs between fingers and toes.

How does apoptosis contribute to the immune system?

Apoptosis helps to eliminate self-reactive immune cells, preventing autoimmune diseases.

What is the consequence of failed apoptosis in immune cells?

Failure of apoptosis in immune cells can lead to autoimmune diseases, where the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues.

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What is necrosis?

A process of uncontrolled cell death caused by injury or disease, characterized by swelling and cell rupture.

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What defines cancer cells?

Cancer cells are characterized by uncontrolled growth, immortality, and the ability to spread to other parts of the body.

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What is angiogenesis?

The formation of new blood vessels, often fueled by cancer cells to sustain their growth.

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What role does telomerase play in cancer cells?

Telomerase is an enzyme that maintains the length of telomeres, protecting chromosome ends and enabling cancer cells to divide indefinitely.

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Totipotent stem cells

Stem cells derived from embryos, capable of developing into all cell types, including extra-embryonic tissues.

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Autophagy

The process of digestion of damaged organelles and molecules within a cell by lysosomes, crucial for cellular housekeeping and survival.

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Proto-oncogenes

Genes that, when overactivated, promote uncontrolled cell growth and contribute to cancer development.

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Angiogenesis

The formation of new blood vessels, particularly in tumors, supplying them with oxygen and nutrients, essential for tumor growth and spread.

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Adult stem cells

Stem cells derived from adult tissues, having limited differentiation potential compared to embryonic stem cells.

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Apoptosis

A form of programmed cell death characterized by controlled dismantling of the cell without causing inflammation, essential for eliminating damaged or unwanted cells.

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Cellular reprogramming

The process of creating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from adult cells by reprogramming them back to an embryonic-like state.

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Hematopoietic stem cells

Stem cells derived from umbilical cord blood, specialized for producing various types of blood cells, used in bone marrow transplantation.

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Stem cell plasticity

The capacity of stem cells to differentiate into various specialized cell types, representing their flexibility.

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Tumor suppressor genes

Genes that normally suppress cell growth and division, when inactivated, can contribute to cancer development.

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Study Notes

Apoptosis

  • Definition: Programmed cell death (PCD).
  • Role in development: Removes temporary structures like interdigital web cells during development.
  • Immune system role: Eliminates self-reactive immune cells.
  • Failed apoptosis consequence: Autoimmune conditions.
  • Contrast with Necrosis: Necrosis involves swelling and membrane rupture; apoptosis is controlled and involves DNA fragmentation.

Necrosis

  • Process: Characterized by swelling organelles and membrane rupture.

Cancer

  • Defining characteristic: Immortality and metastasis.
  • Angiogenesis: Blood vessel formation, crucial for tumor growth.
  • Telomerase in cancer: Maintains telomere length, enabling continuous cell division.
  • Metastasis: Spread of cancer cells to other body parts.
  • Benign tumors: Localized, slow-growing, and do not spread.
  • Cancer cause: Primarily DNA mutations.
  • Oncogenes: Proto-oncogenes become oncogenic when overactivated.
  • Tumor suppressor genes: Loss-of-function mutations are linked to cancer.
  • Preventable cancer factors: Contribute significantly to cancer deaths globally.
  • Angiogenesis in cancer: Provides oxygen and nutrients to tumors

Stem Cells

  • Definition: Unspecialized cells with self-renewal capability.
  • Embryonic stem cells: Totipotent or pluripotent (can develop into all cell types).
  • Adult stem cells: Source: Bone marrow, other tissues.
  • Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs): Reprogrammed adult cells.
  • Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: First successful transplantation by E. Donnall Thomas.
  • iPSC creation: Cellular reprogramming.
  • Stem cell potency:
    • Totipotent: Can differentiate into all cell types, including extra-embryonic tissues.
    • Pluripotent: Can differentiate into all cell types of the embryo.
    • Multipotent: Can differentiate into multiple cells, but a more limited variety compared to pluripotent.
    • Unipotent: Can differentiate only into one cell type.
  • Umbilical cord blood: Source of hematopoietic stem cells.
  • Stem cell plasticity: Ability to form different specialized cell types.

Autophagy

  • Definition: Digestion of damaged organelles and molecules within a cell.
  • Trigger for autophagy: Cellular stress such as starvation.
  • Autophagy consequence: Excessive autophagy can lead to cell atrophy.
  • Lysosome role in autophagy: Digest cellular waste.
  • Autophagy vs. Autolysis: Apoptosis is self-programmed; autolysis involves external enzymes.

Cellular Processes Comparison

  • Apoptosis: controlled cell death, DNA fragmentation.
  • Autolysis: cell breakdown by internal enzymes.
  • Necrosis: uncontrolled cell death with swelling and rupture.

Mixed Topics

  • Lysosome function: Digestion of cellular waste.
  • Tumor suppressor gene inactivation: Uncontrolled cell division.
  • Autophagy-inducing diet: High-fat low-carb diet.
  • Stem cell plasticity: Ability to form different specialized cell types.
  • Blood cell precursor: Stem cell.

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