Cell Physiology Flashcards
What is melanoma?
Cancer developed by mutations in the melanocytes, highly metastatic and resistant to treatments. Very common in the fair-skinned population, because most are caused by sun exposure.
What are the major clinical subtypes of melanoma?
Melanoma in situ Superficial spreading melanoma Lentigo maligna Nodular melanoma Acral lentiginous melanoma
What are the key physiological processes for human health?
Hepatic/Renal
Nutrient metabolism
Circulatory system
Nervous system
Why is hepatic and renal function important?
It deals with the hydration, detoxification, and elimination of metabolic waste products
Why is nutrient metabolism important?
Catabolism and anabolism are important to maintain energy
Why is circulatory function important?
The bloodstream carries many important nutrients throughout the body, especially oxygen to the tissues
Why is nervous system function important?
The sympathetic, parasympathetic, and autonomic nervous systems are important for fight/flight responses and maintaining normal organ function
Melanoma in situ
Most common type, typically does not metastasize, can occur at any age
Superficial spreading melanoma
Most common malignant type, more prevalent in younger populations
Lentigo maligna
Older adults, correlated with chronic sun exposure
Nodular melanoma
Usually in older adults, correlated with chronic sun exposure, invasive from the start, very dangerous and high rate of mortality
Acral lentiginous melanoma
Very rare but most common in Asians and Blacks, occurs on acral skin, not correlated with sun exposure
Earliest stages of human development
Fertilized egg, 2 cell stage, 4 cell stage, 8 cell stage, morula, blastula, early gastrula, gastrula
Types of stem cells
Totipotent, pluripotent, multipotent, unipotent, induced pluripotent
Totipotent Stem Cells
Give rise to all cells in the body and an entire human being
Zygote is the only truly totipotent, morula can be argued to be
