Bio 111 - Unit 2: Cancer

G1 phase

1st growth phase --> growth occurs as the organelles double

G2 phase

2nd growth phase --> growth occurs as the cell prepares to divide

S phase

DNA replication occurs

what protein does ERBB2 produce?

HER-2

cancer

a disease caused by an inability of the body to control cell division

carcinogen

a mutagen that is directly involved in causing cancer

G0 phase

a non dividing state occupied by cells that have left the cell cycle --> apoptosis can occur if DNA is damaged beyond repair

CT scan

a series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body

diagnostic mammogram

a targeted mammogram, typically performed after a screening mammogram to further analyze the characteristics of a breast lesion

mutagen

an agent that is known to cause mutations in DNA

lymphoma

cells and tissue of the immune system

angiogenesis

cells in a tumor release specialized growth factors that cause the local capillaries of the circulatory system to grow toward the tumor

metastasis

cells of a tumor get into lymphatic vessels or capillaries which allows cells to be transported to other areas of the body to undergo angiogenesis and form new tumors

mutation

changes to the nucleotide sequence of a DNA molecule

G2 checkpoint

checks for cell size and DNA replication

G1 checkpoint

checks for cell size, nutrients, growth factors and DNA damage

alkylating agents

chemicals that integrate into the DNA --> typically causing the DNA to break at specific points

sarcoma

connective tissue, such as bone

where does translation occur?

cytoplasm

cytokinesis

division of the cytoplasm to form two separate daughter cells

MRI

does NOT use radiation --> uses radio waves and magnets to generate detailed pictures of the body

telophase

each new nucleus has same number and types of chromosomes (genetically identical)

metaphase

each of the homologous chromosomes aligns along a central line in the cell

proteinase

enzyme released by cancer cells in malignant tumors which digests protein molecules and allows cells of the tumor to move into surrounding tissues

DNA microarrays

gene chips that allow doctors to look for specific mutations or differences in gene expression between normal and cancer cells

prophase

genetic material condenses into compact chromosomes

malignant tumor

has the ability to invade other tissues and possibly move to other locations in the body

topoisomerase inhibitors

interfere with the ability of the cell to replicate its DNA by disabling a key enzyme of DNA replication

carcinoma

lining of the internal organs or skin

benign tumor

localized to one tissue type and has not invaded surrounding tissues

radio waves

longest wavelength, lowest frequency

antimetabolites

mimic the nucleotides used in the building of a DNA molecule

m phase

mitosis and cytokinesis

where does transcription occur?

nucleus

ERBB2

oncogene associated with breast cancer

interphase

period of the cell cycle between cell divisions (G1, S, G2)

alkaloids & taxanes

prevent cell division (A - interfere with ability to form the spindle fibers, T - keep the sister chromatids attached to the spindle fibers)

BRCA1 gene

produces a protein that is active at G1 checkpoint

p53 gene (also known as TP53)

produces a protein that is responsible for activating DNA repair enzymes and stopping the cell cycle (places cell in G0 phase)

PET scan

provides cells with sugar that contains a small amount of a radioactive tracer --> examines how cells are functioning

tRNA molecule

reads info on mRNA molecule one codon at a time

gamma rays

shortest wavelength, highest frequency

anaphase

sister chromatids separate and migrate to opposite sides of the cell

melanoma

skin cancer

M checkpoint

spindle assembly checkpoint: mitosis will not continue if chromosomes are not properly aligned

biopsy

surgical procedure to remove a small section of tissue to look for the presence of cancer cells

how are cancer cells immortal?

telomerase repairs the telomeres at the end of the chromosome after each cell division

screening mammogram

the initial mammographic images of the breast (to look for any abnormalities)

codon

three nucleotide sequence on messenger RNA that codes for a single amino acid

RNA polymerase

transcription enzyme that identifies the gene to be expressed and unwinds the double helix; uses template strand to produce a complementary RNA copy (mRNA)

how does a proto-oncogene become an oncogene?

when a mutation causes it to be in an active state without the influence of the growth factor or causes it to be more sensitive to the influence of a hormone

leukemia

white blood cells in the bone barrow