Malfunctions in Apoptosis and Their Role in Cancer Development

Malfunctions in apoptosis

Cell can get damaged when duplicated or due to environmental factors.

Cell cycle

Eukaryotic reproduction process.

DNA damage repair

Sometimes DNA can fix the damage, but if it can't, then the cell will have to undergo apoptosis.

Consequences of skipping apoptosis

If a cell skips apoptosis, then it will form cancer.

Causes of cell damage

Cell damage can be from environmental factors or genes from parents.

Mutagens

Factors that cause damaged cells are called mutagens, not mutants.

Effect of DNA mutation on cell cycle

When there's a DNA mutation, it stops the cycle from continuing, leading to more DNA mutations and uncontrolled cell division.

Cancer process

Cancer is an uncontrolled process that targets cells to divide more frequently than others.

Tumours

A group of cancers is called tumours.

Characteristics of cancer cells

Cancer cells spread/divide fast, have irregular shapes, are larger than normal cells, and have an unorganised arrangement.

Blood supply in cancer

Cancer cells increase and take all the blood supply.

Types of mutagens

Chemical: tobacco; Physical: UV rays; Biological: infection affecting cell division.

Not enough apoptosis

Can cause syndactyly, cancer, tumours, and autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases occur when your body attacks itself.

Too much apoptosis

Can lead to conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Effect of apoptosis in Alzheimer's

In Alzheimer's, apoptosis kills too many neurons, leading to memory loss.