Cell Differentiation and Cancer - A&P

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Cell Differentiation

Process where cells develop different characteristics in structure and function

What cells go through cell differentiation?

All cells

Stem Cells

Single cell humans start as that divides, producing cells that haven’t been differentiated

What are different ways stem cells go through differentiation?

Exposure to chemicals (like hormones, gene expression, stem cell research (?)

Stem cell exposure to hormones:

Hormones can instruct a cell to develop specific traits

Gene expression for stem cells:

Certain genes in the cell’s DNA instruct the cell to develop specific traits

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death, done through activation of certain genes

Normal cell life

Cell created, does job, eventually dies

As the cell gets older…

… it will destroy itself

Cell deaths

Caused by destruction (if damaged), cell division, or apoptosis

Cancer

Disease caused by uncontrolled cell division

Cancer happens when:

Cells don’t die and continue to divide/divide when they aren’t supposed to

Tumor

Mass of cells that have uncontrolled cell division

When do tumors continue to grow

when cancerous cells continue to divide

Metastasize

The spreading of disease to other tissues/organs

How are tumors characterized?

Their ability to metastasize

Benign Tumor

Doesn’t spread to other tissues/organs (considered non-cancerous, but still dangerous)

Malignant Tumor

Spreads to other tissues/organs (considered “true” cancer)

Carcinogens

Substances that are known to cause cancer

What are different types of cancer treatments?

Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy

How is cancer named?

From where it originates in the body

Mitosis order

Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase