microbiology and pathology Flashcards
(165 cards)
give an example of ectopia
normal tissue forming in the wrong place, merkels diverticulum - epithelium at small intestine
give an example of atrophy
break down of tissue, if not being used or in disease, osteoporosis - decreased bone density
what is hypertrophy and describe a disease in which this is a factor
increase size of cells - muscle cells have reduced mitotic ability so increase in size instead of dividing. heart failure, increased load on heart so muscle bulk increases - ventricular hypertrophy
what is hyperplasia and what can cause it
increase number of cells, tissue becomes much thicker , can be caused by medications - gingival hyperplasia by epilepsy medication.
what is metaplasia and give an example of this
change of one differentiated tissue to another, change in epithelial type - barrett’s oesophagus, in response to GORD, change from stratified squamous to simple columnar
what is the difference between metaplasia and dysplasi
metaplasia is controlled change, dysplasia is uncontrolled, cells dividing all through the tissue, not just at bottom - could become malignant
describe 3 differences between benign and malignant tumours
benign tumours are encapsulated, keeping their growth localised. malignant tumours have no capsule, can invade other tissues (metastases). benign tumours have fewer mitotic bodies so have a slower growth rate, malignant tumours have several mitotic bodies so grow much faster. benign tumour cells all look relatively normal and are all similar from same tissue of origin. malignant tumour cells are difficult to see where they come from, all very different and pleumorphic
name the 3 types of carcinogens
chemical - tobacco, alcohol
physical - ionising radiation, UV light
viral - HPV
how can carcinogens result in tumour formation
initiation - mutating gene of cell giving it neoplasmic potential, another factor then required to cause division and formation of tumour (promotion), then progression, as division continues, malignancy is developed
what is the role of proto-oncogenes
produce proteins involved in cell division, growth factors, growth factor receptors, signal transducer
how can proto-oncogenes play a role in cancer
one genetic mutation in this gene causes the production of oncogenes which produce oncoproteins - this stimulate cell proliferation, which if uncontrolled can result in tumour formation
what are tumour suppressor genes
genes which control cell division, prevents uncontrolled growth
how can tumour suppressor genes play a role in cancer
two mutations to this gene results in cells dividing and proliferating in an uncontrolled manner
what is P53 and how is this involved in tumour formation?
as cells undergo mitosis, they have check points to check for defective DNA, if this is detected, the P53 can send the cell for DNA repair. If this is not possible, P53 sends the cell into apoptosis, this prevents any mutation being passed down cell lineage. In cancer, this protein is not produced, so mutated genes are passed to all cells, forming more tumour cells
what are the 6 main hallmarks of cancer
self-sufficient growth signals, insensitive to anti-growth signals, limitless replicative potential, production and maintenance of angiogenesis, evade apoptosis and metasises and invade other tissues
what is the difference in spread between epithelial cancers and connective tissue cancers
epithelial spread via lymph nodes and then blood vessels, connective tissue (sarcomas) spread via blood vessels first
what is tumour grading?
looking at a tumour down a microscope, at the histological appearance of the tumour cells - high grade cells are very different to cells of origin (pleomorphic) and many mitotic bodies
what is tumour staging?
determining the extent of spread of the tumour, if it is localised or metastised
what staging mechanism is used for oral cancers?
TNM - tumour size, lymph node involvement and metastasis
what are the 3 E’s in cancer immunology and what do they mean?
Elimination - immune system is removing cancer cells
Equilibrium - immune system and cancer cells are balanced but immune system coping and controlling
Escape - due to immunosuppression or another disease, the cancer cells can escape the immune system and spread to other areas
describe the process of the gram stain
stain cells with crystal violet, then iodine. then treat cells with alcohol - if gram negative, this will wash away the iodine stain, if gram positive the stain will remain. then counter stain with safrinin, this will stain colourless gram negative cells pink.
why do certain bacteria retain the gram stain
gram positive cells have a lipid bilayer and an outer cell wall of peptidoglycan, between these layers is the periplasmic space. it is in here that the gram stain is retained, as alcohol cannot penetrate through the cell wall to get to here so it is not washed away
describe the structure of gram negative bacteria
has a lipid bilayer, peptidoglycan wall and periplasmic space between. but it also has an outer most lipopolysaccharide layer. there is then another periplasmic space between the LPS and peptidoglycan, this is where the iodine is trapped. however, as cells are treated with alcohol, this can penetrate through the LPS and wash away the stain, making it gram negative
what medication can be given for gram positive infections
penicilin - breaks down cross-link bonds in peptidoglycan wall