Cancer and Stem Cells

Question 1

Heirarchy of Stem Cells

Answer 1

• Totipotent - differentiating into any cell line | embryonic stem cell
• Pluripotent - differentiating into a limited number of cell lines
• Unipotent - differentiating into one cell line

Question 1

Cancer

Answer 1

• Disease resulting from uncontrolled growth and division of abnormal cells.
• Can kill a person in months or years.

Question 2

Tumor

Answer 2

• Mass of cells continuing to divide with no function
• First cell to start tumour created by DNA mutation caused by carcinogen.
• Mutated cell divides uncontrollably

Question 3

Tumor (continued)

Answer 3

• Cells don’t die – lack of apoptosis (programmed cell death – PCD)
• Can spread to bloodstream, hitting organs

Question 4

Metastasis Cancer

Answer 4

Spreading around body, invading other organs and impairing function.

Question 5

Malignant Cancer

Answer 5

Aggressive cancer that metastasizes, resulting in sickness and death.

Question 6

Benign Tumor

Answer 6

Tumor that is not malignant.

Question 7

Causes of Cancer

Answer 7

• Genetics
• Chemical carcinogens (e.g tobacco smoke)
• Radiation (e.g. UV radiation sunlight)
• Viruses (e.g. HPV virus)
• Spontaneous mutation

Question 8

Carcinogen

Answer 8

• Factor in environment that causes cancer
• Tobacco smoke, x-rays, and environmental pollution