Cancer/Mitosis Quiz

differential diagnosis

a list of possible diagnoses to explain a set of symptoms

why is a differential diagnosis important

to consider all possibilities to treat your patient the best you can

why does a body cell divide

to replace a dead cell, heal a wound, growth spurt

what is the relationship between a daughter and parent cell in mitosis

two identical daughter cells are formed from the parent cell - each biological parent contributes 1 chromosome during fertilization

how many chromosomes are present in a typical body cell

46 chromosomes - 23 from each parent

where is genetic material stored in the cell

nucleus in the form of chromatin

what is the structure of DNA in mitosis

chromosomes

what is the structure of DNA in interphase

chromatin

homologous pair

a pair of chromosomes, one from each parent, that have relatively similar structures and gene values

sister chromatids

2 genetically identical copies formed from DNA replication of a chromosome

centromere

Area where the chromatids of a chromosome are attached

spindles

Meshlike structures that help move the chromosomes apart

nuclear membrane

surrounds the nucleus

interphase

the cell grows, replicates chromosomes, and prepares for cell division

prophase

DNA in the form of chromatin condenses into sister chromatids - spindle forms

metaphase

the chromosomes line up along the equator (middle) of the cell attached by spindles

Anaphase

the chromosomes are pulled apart by the spindles

telophase

nuclear membrane reappears and chromosomes decondense into chromatin

tumor

the result of cells dividing uncontrollably - masses of extra cells

benign

growth of cells inside capsule - generally harmless - will not spread to other parts of the body and is not cancerous

malignant

cancerous - harmful tumors that can spread to other tissues or to other parts of the body if left untreated

metastasize

When cancerous cells spread to other parts of the body

biopsy

diagnostic examination of a piece of tissue from the living body to test for cancer

cell division in normal cells

divide in an organized manner and die after a limited number of cell divisions

cell division in cancerous cells

divide indefinitely resulting in a large number of irregularly shaped dividing cells

arrangement of normal cells

arranged in an organized manner with well defined tissue boundaries

arrangement of cancerous cells

have a disorganized arrangement with poorly defined tissue boundaries

shape/size of normal cells

have the same size and shape as the other cells of the same tissue

shape/size of cancerous cells

vary in size and shape

nucleus of normal cells

have 1 small nucleus

nucleus of cancerous cells

have large, variably shaped nuclei

specialized features of normal cells

contain distinct specialized features common to the particular cell type

specialized features of cancerous cells

lose specialized cell features preventing them from performing functions properly