Cancer Cells and Cell Division Review

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to normal and cancer cells, cell division, and important biological concepts.

Cancer Cell

A cell that grows in an uncontrolled manner and does not undergo apoptosis normally.

Normal Cell

A cell that performs specific functions and undergoes controlled division and apoptosis.

Apoptosis

Programmed cell death that prevents the formation of abnormal cells.

Contact Inhibition

A process that prevents cells from growing uncontrollably by inhibiting further growth when cells are in close contact.

Oncogene

A mutated gene that has the potential to cause cancer.

Tumor Suppressor Gene

A gene that normally inhibits cell division and when mutated can lead to uncontrolled cell growth.

Mitosis

The process of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells.

Chromosomes

Structures within cells that contain DNA and are visible during cell division.

Hayflick Limit Theory

A theory that states that normal somatic cells can only divide a certain number of times before cell division stops.

Telomeres

The protective caps on the ends of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division.