Cancer

Front

What is cancer?

Back

Cancer is defined as the uncontrolled division of mutated cells.

Front

What are oncogenes?

Back

Oncogenes are mutated genes that code for proteins which activate cell division too often or at the improper time.

Front

What is the function of DNA repair genes?

Back

DNA repair genes function in correcting errors in DNA, helping prevent cancer.

Front

What is metastasis?

Back

Metastasis is the invasion of the bloodstream by a malignant cell that takes up residence in a new location.

Front

What is the normal function of a tumor suppressor gene?

Back

The normal function of a tumor suppressor gene is to code for proteins that inhibit, or slow, cell division.

Front

What are tumor suppressor genes?

Back

Tumor suppressor genes are genes that help prevent uncontrolled cell growth.

Front

What role do proto-oncogenes play in cell division?

Back

Proto-oncogenes are normal genes that promote cell division; when mutated, they can become oncogenes.

Front

What is a benign tumor?

Back

A benign tumor is a non-cancerous growth that does not invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body.

Front

How do cancer cells differ from normal cells?

Back

Cancer cells divide uncontrollably, do not undergo normal apoptosis, and can invade other tissues.

Front

What is apoptosis?

Back

Apoptosis is the process of programmed cell death that helps eliminate damaged or unnecessary cells.