Cancer, growth and differentiation

What is cancer?

A disease caused by changes in cells that lead to uncontrolled cell division.

How can uncontrolled cell division cause tumours?

Cells divide repeatedly and accumulate into a mass of abnormal cells.

How do animals grow?

Through cell division by mitosis and cell differentiation.

How do plants grow?

Through cell division, cell elongation and cell differentiation.

What is cell differentiation?

The process by which a cell becomes specialised for a particular function.

Why is cell differentiation important?

It allows cells to develop specialised structures and functions.

What is a specialised cell?

A cell adapted to carry out a particular function.

What happens to animal cells as they differentiate?

They develop specialised structures to perform particular functions.

What is cell elongation in plants?

The process in which plant cells increase in length, helping the plant grow.

Where does cell division occur in growing plants?

In meristems, such as those at root and shoot tips.

What is the difference between cell division and differentiation?

Cell division increases cell number, while differentiation makes cells specialised.