BIO 100 – The Living World Lecture 10b: When S%*T Goes Wrong!

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on cancer and cell cycle regulation.

HeLa cells

Cells derived from Henrietta Lacks' cervical cancer tumor that can grow indefinitely in culture and are widely used in research.

Mitosis-promoting factor (MPF)

A protein complex that induces mitosis in eukaryotic cells, composed of cyclin and cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk).

Cell cycle checkpoints

Regulatory points in the cell cycle that determine if a cell can proceed with division based on conditions such as cell size, nutrient availability, and DNA integrity.

Proto-oncogene

A normal gene that can become an oncogene due to mutations, leading to uncontrolled cell division.

Tumor suppressor

Regulatory proteins that can prevent the cell cycle from progressing and suppress tumor formation.

Metastasis

The process by which cancer cells detach from the original tumor and spread to other parts of the body.

Carcinogenic

Substances that can lead to cancer by causing mutations in DNA.

Colon cancer

A type of cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum, often resulting from environmental factors and genetic mutations.

Cervical cancer (HPV)

A type of cancer associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection that can lead to significant mutations and cell cycle interference.

G1 phase checkpoint

The first checkpoint in the cell cycle that assesses if the cell is ready to divide based on size, nutrients, and signals from other cells.