Cancer Investigation Lessons

Flashcards about cancer causes and prevention.

Cancer

A disease of cell growth in which cell growth is unregulated.

Tumor

Forms when too many cells grow in a specific area.

Cell Cycle

Broken into four phases: G1, S, G2, and M (G1 is growth, S is DNA replication, G2 is growth, and M is cell division).

G1 Phase

Growth phase of the cell cycle.

S Phase

DNA replication phase of the cell cycle.

G2 Phase

Growth phase of the cell cycle.

M Phase

Cell division phase of the cell cycle.

Cell Division

Leads to a cell split in half and produces genetically identical cells.

p53

A protein that regulates the cell cycle. If cells don’t have the necessary nutrients or are damaged, p53 does not let the cell go through cell division. If p53 doesn’t work, cancer can form.

Genes

Made up of sequences of DNA.

Chromosomes

Contain thousands of genes.

DNA Mutations

Can occur during DNA replication.

Transcription

The process of converting DNA to RNA.

Translation

The process of converting RNA to protein.

Mitosis

Cellular division to create identical cells; in cancer, mitosis can be unregulated, leading to rapid proliferation of cancer cells.

Height

Taller individuals may have a slightly increased risk of certain cancers due to having more cells and increased cell division.

Cancer Cells

Cells that divide uncontrollably and can invade other tissues; they differ from normal cells in their growth properties.

DNA Replication

The process of duplicating DNA; errors during DNA replication can lead to mutations that cause cancer.

Mutation

Alterations in the DNA sequence that can lead to cancer by affecting cell growth and division.

UV Radiation

Radiation that can damage DNA and increase the risk of mutations that lead to cancer, such as skin cancer.

Melanin

A pigment that protects skin cells from UV radiation; lower levels of melanin increase the risk of skin cancer.

Age

The older someone gets, the higher the chance of cancer becomes due to mutations that can occur over time.

Protein

The building blocks of cells; cancer can result from mutations in genes that code for proteins involved in cell growth and division.

Non-Cancer Cells

Normal cells that have regulated growth and division; they differ from cancer cells in their growth properties and behavior.

Chemotherapy

A treatment that uses drugs to kill cancer cells or slow their growth; it can affect both cancer cells and normal cells.