Topic 82 - 84 ( Apoptosis And Tumor Cells) Flashcards
Name three of the stimuli, which are able to cause apoptosis!
- Serum starvation
- DNA damage
- Toxic compounds
What is apoptosis?
Physiological, active programmed cell death
Give an example for an anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member!
Bcl-2 protein
Give an example for a pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member!
Bad protein
Name the components of the apoptosome (3)
- Apaf-1
- Cytochrome C
- Caspase
What are caspases?
Proteolytic enzymes taking part in apoptosis
Name 2 types of dieseases whith decreased rate of apoptosis!
- Tumors
- Viral infections
Name 2 dieseases whith increased rate of apoptosis!
- Alzheimers-diesease
- Aids
What is the name of the process by which normal cells become cancer cells?
Malignant transformation
What is the name of the process from which the cancer cells spread to distant organ sites?
Metastasis
How are the tumors of ecto- or endodermal called?
Carcinoma
Name 2 malignant tumors of mesodermal origin!
- Sarcoma
- Leukaemia
What is the mitotic index?
The ratio of dividing cells i n a cell population
Name a characteristic of tumor cells’ nucleolus!
Hypertrophy
Name a characteristic of tumor cells’ cytoplasm!
Increase of the nr of free ribosomes
Cells touching each other stop dividing. Name the phenomenon!
Contact inhibition
Name two properties of cancer cells!
- Immortality
- Loss of contact inhibition
Name an angiogenic growth factor!
VEGF, FGF
What is the main effect of VEGF?
Angiogenic effect
Name enviromental factors causing cancer developement (3)
- Chemical carcinogenes
- Radiation
- Viruses
Name three of the genes taking part in the regulation of apoptosis!
- Bcl-2
- Bax
- Bad
- P53
