Cancer and Stem Cells Quiz Review

What is cancer?

Cancer is when cells grow and divide uncontrollably. They don’t stop like normal cells do.

In which types of cells is cancer more likely to develop?

Cancer is more likely to develop in areas where cells divide frequently, such as skin, intestinal lining, and blood.

What is a mutagen? What is a carcinogen?

A mutagen is anything that changes DNA. A carcinogen is a mutagen that causes cancer by affecting how cells divide.

Define the following terms in relation to cell division: benign tumour, malignant tumour, metastatic cell, normal cell, normal cell division, uncontrolled cell division.

Normal cell: healthy, works properly; Normal cell division: cells divide when needed; Uncontrolled cell division: cells keep dividing when they shouldn’t; Benign tumour: not cancerous, doesn’t spread; Malignant tumour: cancerous, can spread; Metastatic cell: cancer cell that travels to another part of the body.

What are 4 known carcinogens?

Cigarette smoke, viruses (like HPV), radiation (like X-rays or UV light), and certain chemicals (like solvents or pollution).

Why do the chances of developing cancer increase as a person gets older?

As a person gets older, their cells have more time to accumulate DNA damage, leading to a higher chance of cancer.

Describe four steps for metastasis, the formation of a secondary tumour.

1. A tumour forms from cells that divide too fast. 2. The tumour grows its own blood supply. 3. Some cancer cells break off and enter the blood or lymph. 4. These cells travel and form new tumours in other places.

List 2 lifestyle choices or actions that can reduce your chances of developing cancer.

1. Stay active and exercise regularly. 2. Eat healthy foods — lots of fruits and vegetables.

How is cancer diagnosed once a tumour has been located?

A biopsy is performed — a small sample of the tumour is taken and examined under a microscope to assess cell division.

What are the 3 main methods of treating cancer?

1. Surgery: remove the tumour; 2. Radiation: kill cancer cells with high-energy rays; 3. Chemotherapy: use drugs to stop cancer cells from dividing.

Why might cancer recur after successful treatment?

Some cancer cells may survive surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation and can grow again later.

How do chemotherapy drugs stop cancer cells from dividing?

Chemotherapy drugs inhibit DNA replication. Without copying DNA, cancer cells can’t divide and grow.

For the following types of stem cells, identify where they are found and what they can become: embryonic, adult, umbilical.

Embryonic stem cells: found in embryos, can become any cell in the body; Adult stem cells: found in brain, bone marrow, and organs, can only become certain cells from that area; Umbilical stem cells: found in the umbilical cord or placenta, mostly become blood cells.

What is the main difference between adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells?

Adult stem cells can only become specific types of cells, while embryonic stem cells can become any kind of cell in the body.

List four diseases that stem cell transplantation technologies may help to alleviate.

Cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and diabetes.

Why might an organ grown from your own stem cells be better suited for transplantation?

Because they’re made from your own cells, your immune system won’t attack or reject them.