Neoplasm
What is Neoplasm
An abnormal growth of tissue, which can be benign or malignant.
Describe the process of normal cell growth.
Normal cell growth involves cell division, differentiation, and apoptosis, leading to tissue homeostasis.
Define cancerous cell growth.
Cancerous cell growth is characterized by unregulated cell division and the ability to invade surrounding tissues.
What are the stages of cancer development?
The stages include initiation (1 mutation), promotion (2 growth of mutated cells), and progression (3 further mutations and 4 spread).
What is a genetic mutation?
A genetic mutation is a change in the DNA sequence that can lead to altered protein function and potentially contribute to cancer.
Name two types of neoplasms
Benign neoplasms and malignant neoplasms
What is the significance of apoptosis in normal cell growth?
Apoptosis is a programmed cell death that removes damaged or unnecessary cells, maintaining tissue health and balance.
What are two characteristics of cancerous cells?
Cancerous cells often exhibit uncontrolled growth and the ability to evade apoptosis.
How does the environment influence cancer development?
Environmental factors such as exposure to carcinogens, radiation, and lifestyle choices can increase the risk of mutations and cancer development.
Name one type of genetic mutation that can lead to cancer.
Point mutations, insertions, or deletions can lead to oncogene activation or tumor suppressor gene inactivation.
Explain the difference between benign and malignant neoplasms.
Benign neoplasms are non-cancerous, do not invade surrounding tissues, and do not metastasize, while malignant neoplasms are cancerous, invasive, and can spread to other parts of the body.
How do growth factors regulate normal cell growth?
Growth factors are proteins that stimulate cell division and differentiation, promoting normal growth and development.
How do cancerous cells evade apoptosis?
Cancerous cells can produce proteins that inhibit apoptotic pathways, allowing them to survive longer than normal cells.
Identify a lifestyle factor that can promote cancer development.
Smoking, poor diet, and lack of physical activity are lifestyle factors that can promote cancer development.
How can inherited mutations contribute to cancer risk?
Inherited mutations can predispose individuals to certain cancers by affecting genes that regulate cell growth and repair.
What role do neoplasms play in cancer diagnosis?
Neoplasms are often the primary indicator of cancer presence and are used in histological examinations to determine the type and grade of cancer.
Explain the concept of cell cycle checkpoints.
Cell cycle checkpoints are regulatory points that ensure cells only proceed to the next phase of the cycle if conditions are favorable and the previous phase is completed accurately.
Discuss how cancerous cells differ in terms of growth regulation.
Cancerous cells ignore normal growth signals and can proliferate indefinitely, bypassing regulatory mechanisms that control cell growth.
Discuss the role of the immune system in cancer development.
A weakened immune system may fail to recognize and eliminate cancerous cells, allowing tumors to grow.
Explain the difference between somatic and germline mutations.
Somatic mutations occur in non-reproductive cells and are not inherited, while germline mutations occur in reproductive cells and can be passed to offspring.
Discuss how neoplasms can impact surrounding tissues.
Neoplasms can exert pressure on surrounding tissues, disrupt normal function, and in the case of malignant neoplasms, invade and destroy adjacent structures.
What happens when normal cell growth processes malfunction?
Malfunctions can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation, resulting in conditions such as cancer.
Bonus - Explain the concept of angiogenesis in cancerous growth.
Angiogenesis is the process by which cancerous tumors stimulate the growth of new blood vessels to supply nutrients and oxygen, supporting tumor growth and metastasis.
Describe the process of metastasis in cancer development.
Metastasis involves the spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant organs or tissues through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
Discuss the role of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in cancer.
Oncogenes promote cell growth and division, while tumor suppressor genes inhibit these processes; mutations in either can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation.