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What are caretaker genes and how do their mutations affect cancer development?
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Caretaker genes repair DNA; mutations here contribute to genomic instability and cancer progression.
What is the primary characteristic that differentiates cancer cells from normal cells?
Cancer cells divide uncontrollably and invade other tissues, lacking contact inhibition.
Define genomic instability and its impact on cancer.
Genomic instability refers to increased mutation rates and chromosomal instability, leading to rapid cancer progression.
How do cancer cells evade the immune system?
Cancer cells often have a glycoprotein layer that helps them evade immune detection.
Explain the role of proto-oncogenes in cancer development.
Proto-oncogenes regulate cell growth, but mutations can convert them into oncogenes leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation.
What is angiogenesis and why is it important for tumor growth?
Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels, supplying the tumor with nutrients and oxygen necessary for growth.
What are the key differences between benign and malignant tumors?
Benign tumors are slow-growing, encapsulated, and do not invade other tissues, while malignant tumors lack a capsule, are invasive, and can metastasize.
Describe the three stages of cancer development.
1. Initiation: DNA damage. 2. Promotion: Structural changes in cells. 3. Progression: Cells become fully cancerous through further mutations.
How does the mutation of tumor suppressor genes contribute to cancer?
Mutations in tumor suppressor genes (e.g., TP53) prevent them from regulating cell growth, leading to uncontrolled proliferation.
What is the role of telomerase in cancer cells?
Telomerase maintains telomere length, allowing cancer cells to replicate indefinitely, contributing to their immortality.
Define carcinoma and provide an example of a cancer type within this category.
Carcinoma is a cancer arising from epithelial tissues. An example is adenocarcinoma.
What is the significance of the 'in situ' stage in cancer development?
In situ cancer is localized and has not invaded other tissues.
Give an example of a benign tumor and its cell origin.
Lipoma - originates from fat cells.
What is clonal proliferation/expansion?
The process where cancerous cells replicate and dominate over neighboring cells.
Explain epigenetic silencing in the context of cancer.
Epigenetic silencing involves the prevention of gene function through modifications, leading to decreased protein function or production, contributing to cancer.
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