Lec. 32 - Stem Cells and Cancer

Question 1

Describe how gene therapy works.

Answer 1

Gene therapy is a technique that introduces genetic material into a patient’s cells to treat or prevent disease.

Question 2

Explain cell differentiation in the process of development.

Answer 2

Cell differentiation is when unspecified or stem cells turn into specialized cells with specific structures and functions.

Question 3

Explain cell reprogramming.

Answer 3

Cell reprogramming refers to the alteration of a cell’s gene expression pattern, typically transforming a specialized or differentiated cell into a different type of cell with altered characteristics.

Question 4

Describe SCNT and how Dolly was created.

Answer 4

SCNT is Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer. This is when the DNA from one cell is put into an egg cell that does not have a nucleus. Doll was cloned from an adult sheep somatic cell, using the process of nuclear transfer.

Question 5

Compare apoptosis vs. necrosis.

Answer 5

Apoptosis is a neat, programmed cell death. Necrosis is an unprogrammed death.

Question 6

Explain the genes involved in cancer. (oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes)

Answer 6

Oncogenes are involved in normal cell growth and division, but when they are altered in certain ways or are more active than normal, they can become cancer causing and allow cells to grow and survive where they should not. Tumor suppressor genes are involved in controlling cell growth and division, and cells with certain alterations in tumor suppressor genes may divide in an uncontrolled manner.