Skip to main content
Back

Anatomy & Physiology: Cell Division and Cancer

Control buttons has been changed to "navigation" mode.
1/12

Terms in this set (12)

  • What normally balances cell loss in the body?
    Cell division normally balances cell loss to maintain tissue health.
  • Name two factors that stimulate cell division.
    Cell division can be stimulated by internal factors like M-phase promoting factor (MPF) and extracellular chemical factors such as growth factors.
  • What inhibits cell division?
    Cell division can be inhibited by repressor genes and worn out telomeres (terminal DNA segments).
  • What happens if repressor genes are faulty?
    Faulty repressor genes can cause uncontrolled cell division leading to cancers.
  • Define a tumor (neoplasm).
    A tumor is a mass produced by abnormal cell growth and division.
  • What is a benign tumor?
    A benign tumor is contained and usually not life threatening unless it grows very large.
  • What characterizes a malignant tumor?
    A malignant tumor spreads into surrounding tissues through a process called invasion.
  • What causes cancer at the genetic level?
    Cancer results from mutations in genes involved with cell growth, called oncogenes.
  • What are mutagens?
    Mutagens are agents that cause mutations in DNA.
  • What are carcinogens?
    Carcinogens are cancer-causing agents, many of which are also mutagens.
  • What is metastasis in cancer?
    Metastasis is the spread of cancer to other areas of the body, starting with invasion of tissues surrounding the tumor.
  • How is cancer classified by tissue origin?
    Cancer classification includes: Carcinoma (epithelial tissue), Sarcoma (connective tissue), Leukemia (blood cells), Lymphoma (lymphatic tissue), and Adenoma (usually benign epithelial tumors in glands).