Regeneration, Aging, and Cancer

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Questions and Answers

Considering the interplay between regeneration and tumorigenesis, which molecular event primarily dictates whether a shared signaling pathway culminates in cellular proliferation versus controlled tissue repair?

The epigenetic modification status of the participating stem cells.
The selective activation of mutually exclusive downstream transcription factors. (correct)
The absolute concentration of shared growth factors.
The degree of immune surveillance targeting the affected tissues.

Advanced age universally elevates the efficacy of DNA repair mechanisms, thereby negating the cumulative impact of cellular mutations on oncogenesis.

False (B)

Describe how gradual decline in regenerative properties of tissues with aging influences the tissue maintenance and repair mechanisms?

With age, regenerative properties decline due to changes in tissue-specific stem cells and environmental cues, impairing tissue maintenance and repair.

The compromised ability of the aging body to effectively combat cancer is primarily attributable to an impaired ability of the immune system to distinguish neoplastic cells from its own tissue, arising due to diminished expression of ______ on cancer cell surfaces.

MHC-I Signup and view all the answers

Match the following cancer treatments with their core mechanisms of action:

Chemotherapy = Systemic cytotoxic approach Immunotherapy = Enhances immune system function Targeted therapy = Blocks specific molecular targets Active surveillance = Close monitoring for disease progression Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the prevailing scientific understanding of the relationship between antioxidant supplementation and cancer prevention?

While moderate antioxidant intake from dietary sources is beneficial, high-dose supplementation may paradoxically increase cancer risk in certain individuals. (B) Signup and view all the answers

According to current research, lifestyle interventions have been proven to effectively reverse established malignancies.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Articulate the central challenge in achieving a universal cure for cancer, considering the evolutionary dynamics of neoplastic cells during treatment.

Cancer cells change via new mutations, causing treatments to be ineffective over time, and resulting in resistant cells surviving and growing. Signup and view all the answers

The consumption of processed meats, overcooked foods, and fried foods correlates with an elevated risk of cancer due to the presence of ________, which are generated during the processing and cooking of these foods.

carcinogens Signup and view all the answers

Match the following dietary recommendations with their purported mechanisms in reducing cancer risk:

Green tea = Rich in antioxidants that help protect cells from DNA damage. Tomatoes = Contains lycopene, which has shown potential anti-cancer effects. Garlic and onions = Contain organosulfur compounds, which may inhibit cancer cell growth. Olive oil = Contains polyphenols that may reduce inflammation and cancer risk. Signup and view all the answers

Which parameter primarily dictates the classification of a stem cell as totipotent versus pluripotent?

The capacity to generate both embryonic and extra-embryonic tissues. (B) Signup and view all the answers

In vitro fertilization (IVF) inherently compromises the genetic integrity of the resultant offspring, due to the artificial conditions under which fertilization occurs.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in preventing the growth of cancer cells?

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors block chemical messengers, stopping the cell from growing and dividing. Signup and view all the answers

__________ are best defined as heritable changes in gene expression that occur independently of alterations in the underlying DNA sequence, serving as a critical interface between the genome and the environment.

Epigenetics Signup and view all the answers

Match the following stem cell types with their differentiation potential:

Totipotent = Can form all cell types, including extra-embryonic tissues Pluripotent = Can form all cell types in the body Multipotent = Can form a limited range of cell types Signup and view all the answers

How do mutations in homeobox (Hox) genes influence developmental processes, and what is a notable consequence of these mutations?

Hox gene mutations can cause body parts to develop in the wrong locations due to altered segment identity . (C) Signup and view all the answers

The concept of genomic equivalence posits that differentiated cells within an organism possess heterogeneous genetic information, thereby enabling the specialized function of each cell type.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Describe the experiment performed by Walter Gehring and explain the results?

Inserted a mouse eye gene into a fruit fly, resulting in eyes developing on the legs of the fruit fly, which demonstrated genetic mechanisms across species. Signup and view all the answers

________ transcription factors are crucial for the accurate spatial organization of the developing embryo given their role in orchestrating gene expression patterns along the anterior-posterior axis.

Homeobox Signup and view all the answers

Match the following: Term to definition

Genetic disorders = Understanding the genetic basis of developmental disorders Nature vs nurture = Exploring how genes and the environment interact to shape development Prenatal development = Insights into the stages of development before birth Understanding human development = Insights into how humans grow from a single cell to a complex organism Signup and view all the answers

Given the principles of developmental genetics, which factor is considered the most significant when predicting behavior based purely on genomic sequence?

The complex interaction between an organism's genotype and its environment. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Genes directly encode most behaviors through specialized neurotransmitters.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does adaptation affect different populations when considering behaviours and morphologies?

Adaptation affects different populations in different geographical locations, causing them to have different behaviours and morphologies. Signup and view all the answers

In studying the genetic basis of behavior, researchers often employ ________ populations, which are created through controlled breeding to minimize genetic variation and isolate the effects of specific genes on behavior.

inbreeding Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms related to the genetic basis of behavior of bees with their definitions:

Hygienic behavior = Heritable trait for removing dead or diseased larvae from cells Gene 'u' = Controls uncapping of brood cells Gene 'r' = Controls removal of dead larvae UURR = Genotype that displays unhygienic strain uurr = Genotype that displays hygienic strain Signup and view all the answers

What is a key distinction between gap genes and Hox genes in developmental genetics?

Gap genes set up segmental regions early, while Hox genes specify segment identity later. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Loss of teeth in birds is primarily driven by environmental factors, rather than a genetically encoded adaptation to reduce incubation time.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Outline the importance of histones in developmental genetics in less than 20 words.

Histones organize DNA into chromatin, influencing gene expression, playing a key role in development. Signup and view all the answers

______ involves the transfer of a nucleus from a somatic cell into an enucleated egg cell, facilitating the creation of a genetic replica of the donor organism.

Cloning Signup and view all the answers

Match the following conditions treated by stem cell therapy to a brief explanation.

Leukemia = The proliferation of abnormal white blood cells in the bone marrow Lymphoma = Cancer that begins in infection-fighting cells of the immune system, called lymphocytes Spinal Chord Injuries = Damage to the spinal cord that blocks communication between the brain and body below the level of injury Signup and view all the answers

How do genes create a framework for learning, memory, and cognition?

Genes create a framework for learning, memory, and cognition, which shape behavior. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Mice with different genotypes raised in the same environment will always exhibit the same behaviors.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are a few of the positive outcomes of regeneration?

Skills development, employment opportunities, enhanced social infrastructure, improved health outcomes. Signup and view all the answers

_____ help establish the plane by dividing the embryo into distinct segments.

Gap genes Signup and view all the answers

Match the lifestyle change with its proper justification to reduce cancer risk:

Keeping a healthy weight = Obesity is associated with an increased risk of several types of cancer. Avoiding tobacco = Smoking is a leading cause of many cancers. Limiting alcohol Consumption = Excessive alcohol intake increases the risk of certain cancers. Protecting your skin = Ultraviolet radiation from the sun can cause skin cancer. Signup and view all the answers

Concerning individuals diagnosed with cancer, what is the average age of diagnosis and the proportion of cases diagnosed in people between 65-74 years?

Average age 66, quarter of cases between 65-74 (C) Signup and view all the answers

Cancer risk factors are solely environmental, excluding inherent elements like age and family history.

False (B) Signup and view all the answers

Provide a specific instance involving geographical differences that induce feeding preference.

Garter snakes from inland and coastal populations show different feeding preferences. Signup and view all the answers

The main reason that the human body cannot fight cancer effectively is because the body fails to ______ the malignant cells, as they are primarily composed of the patient's own DNA.

Recognize Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Aging and Cancer Risk

Aging is a major risk factor; cells accumulate mutations, and normal processes become flawed.

Developmental Genetics

A field studying how genes direct the development of organisms.