Cancer Flashcards

1
Q

What are tumour suppressor genes?

A

genes that produce proteins to slow cell division and cause cell death if DNA copying errors are detected

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2
Q

What happens if a mutation occurs in tumour suppressor genes?

A

cell division will continue and mutated cells will not be detected and destroyed, cell division increases

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3
Q

What is hypermethylation?

A

increased number of methyl groups added

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4
Q

How might hypermethylation impact tumour suppressor genes?

A

cause them to tightly coil so would not be expressed (so it will not control mitosis or cause cell death)

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5
Q

What is hypomethylation?

A

a decrease in the number of methyl groups added

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6
Q

Why might hypomethylation lead to cancer?

A

oncogenes are turned on continually so mitosis is happening even when it is not needed

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7
Q

What are proto-oncogenes?

A

genes that regulate the production of growth factors which stimulate cell division

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8
Q

What are 3 roles of tumour Suppressor Genes?

A
  • apostasis
  • ‘fix’ DNA
  • stop/reduce cell division
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9
Q

What happens if tumour suppressor genes are mutated?

A

cell division increases due to less regulation

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10
Q

What are mutated proto-oncogenes called?

A

oncogenes

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11
Q

What are 2 ways that oncogenes cause increased cell division?

A
  • increase the amount of growth factor produced
  • stimulate growth factor receptors even when no growth factor is present
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12
Q

How are malignant tumours different from benign tumours

A

malignant:
- grow fastER
- metastasise as no adhesion molecules produced
- are not surrounded by a capsule so grow into surrounding tissues
- more likely to be life-threatening
- often have systemic effects

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13
Q

What is the role of adhesion molecules produced by benign tumours?

A

makes cells stick together so tumours do not metastasise

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14
Q

How do tumours metastasise?

A
  • develop blood and lymph vessels in vascularisation
  • tumour cells enter blood or lymph vessels
  • tumour cells circulate in blood/lymph
  • tumour cells adhere to blood vessel walls, squeeze out and invade other tissues
  • tumours also form in lymph nodes
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15
Q

How does hypermethylation of tumour suppressor genes cause cancer?

A
  • hypermethylation in promoter region of TSG
  • TSG inactivated
  • transcription inhibited
  • increased, uncontrolled cell division
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