cancer Flashcards
1
Q
characteristics of benign tumours
A
- low growth
- defined by clear boundary due to cell adhesion molecules
- cells retain function and normal shape
- don’t spread easily
-easy to treat
2
Q
characteristics of malignant tumours
A
- rapid , uncontrolled growth
- ill-defined boundary
- cells don’t retain function and often die
- spread quickly and easily
- difficult to treat
3
Q
role of tumour suppressor genes
A
- codes for proteins that control cell division
- stopping cell cycle when damaged is detected
- involved in apoptosis, self destruction of the cell
4
Q
how tumour suppressor genes can be involved in developing cancer
A
- mutation in tumour suppressor gene
- doesn’t produced the proteins needed to carry out its function
- uncontrolled cell division
- mutated cells would not be identified and destroyed
5
Q
how does abnormal methylation be involved in developing tumours
A
- hypermethylation of tumour suppressor genes
- increase in number of methyl groups
- gene being inactivated and switched off
- proteins needed to slow down cell division are not produced
-uncontrolled cell division
or
hypomethylation in oncogenes - reducing number of methyl groups attached
- gene being permantly switched on
- uncontrolled cell division
6
Q
how does increased oestrogen be involved in devoloping tumours
A
- activate gene by binding to a gene that initiates transcription
-eg permantly turning on proto - oncogenes = uncontrolled cell division
7
Q
describe role of proto-oncogenes
A
- control cell division
- initiation of DNA replication
- code for proteins that stimulate cell division
8
Q
what are mutated proto-oncogenes called
A
onocgenes
9
Q
how are oncogenes linked to tumour development
A
- DNA replication permantly switched on
- uncontrolled cell division
