Lecture 1

Question 1

What is the Central Dogma?

Answer 1

DNA is transcribed to RNA which is then translated into proteins.

Question 2

How does cancer affect the Central Dogma?

Answer 2

By mutating DNA

Question 3

How many mutations are needed to produce cancer?

Answer 3

5

Question 4

Under what circumstances do mutations occur?

Answer 4

1) When there are DNA replication errors (occurs every time DNA replicates)
2) Mutations can be inherited.
3) Exposure to mutagens

Question 5

Why does it appear that mutations leading to the development of cancer are not random?

Answer 5

Because of selective pressure (i.e., random mutations that allow a cell to survive harsh conditions are passed on; so any mutation that gives an organism an advantage over a source of pressure will be passed on.

Question 6

Any cause that reduces the success of an organism to reproduce

Answer 6

Selective pressure

Question 7

How does selective pressure result in cancer cells that are resistant to the immune system?

Answer 7

Mutations that allow cancer to resist the immune system are passed on, resulting in a cancer resistant to the immune system.

Question 8

How does selective pressure result in cells that are resistant to contact inhibition?

Answer 8

Cells that acquire mutations that allow them to survive contact with other cells are able to pass on these mutations, resulting in cells that are resistant to contact inhibition.

Question 9

How does selective pressure result in cancer cells that can generate blood vessels to supply them with oxygen?

Answer 9

Cancer cells that acquire mutations allowing them to make new blood vessels survive and keep dividing, passing on this mutation.

Question 10

The incidence rate of cancer increases __________ with age. The inflection point on the cancer incidence graph is in the age range of the ___________.

Answer 10

exponentially; mid-40s

Question 11

Which type of tumor has the highest incidence rate?

Answer 11

reproductive tumors (ovarian, cervical, uterine, prostate, testicular)

Question 12

Which type of cancer has the highest mortality rate?

Answer 12

lung cancer

Question 13

What is the name of the test used by the FDA that identifies mutagens? What preservative has been regulated because of this test?

Answer 13

Ames test; nitrosamines

Question 14

True or false: All carcinogens are mutagens.

Answer 14

False

Question 15

True or false: All mutagens are carcinogens.

Answer 15

True

Question 16

What is cancer?

Answer 16

A disease of random genetic mutations.

Question 17

A general term for an increase in the number of the cells of an organ or tissue causing it to increase in size

Answer 17

Hyperplasia

Question 18

an abnormal and potentially reversible process where there is disordered growth and maturation of cells and the tissues and organs which they make up.

Answer 18

Dysplasia

Question 19

What is the most common cancer?

Answer 19

reproductive cancers

Question 20

What is the most deadly cancer?

Answer 20

lung cancer