Cancer Flashcards
1
Q
how is cancer formed
A
- mutations occur in genes that control the cell cycle, the cell will divide when its not supposed to, copying mutated dna as ‘self-destruct’ saftey system mutated.
- results in mass of cells that dont respond to signals (abnormal cells)
- these cells continue to divide (this is cancer)
2
Q
what is tissue necrosis
A
death of tissue due to lack of oxygen
3
Q
how do cancer cells cause tissue necrosis
A
all oxygen is transported to cancer cells rather than important cells
4
Q
describe benign cancer
A
it is harmless cancer which grows slowly
5
Q
describe malignant cancer
A
cancer cells that go through the cell cycle at a significant rate (harmful cells)
6
Q
what is metastasis
A
when cancer cells mutate and travel to other parts of the body
7
Q
describe the features of normal cells (4)
A
- controlled growth (has control over cell cycle)
- contact inhibition (has awareness of surrounding cells)
- one organised layer
- differentiated cells
8
Q
describe the features of cancer cells (5)
A
- uncontrolled/abnormal growth
- no contact inhibition (cannot notice cells around them)
- disorganised, multilayered
- non differentiated cells
- abnormal nuclei
9
Q
what are the environmental triggers of cancer
A
- chemicals (tar in cigarettes, asbestos, dye products, benzene)
- alcohol
- Uv light
- ionising radiation (eg xrays)
- fatty diet
- free radicals (highly reactive species)
- lack of exercise (weak immune system)
10
Q
positives of antioxidants
A
they remove free radicals
11
Q
name a chemical that can cause cancer
A
carcinogen
