Cancer, Mutations and Genetic Screening Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is a tumour?
Abnormal cell tissue mass that forms when cells grow and divide excessively or don’t die when they should
What is a benign tumour?
Too many cells in tissue but does not burst
Slower growing and do not spread
What is a malignant tumour?
Too many cells in the tissue causing them to burst
Fast growing
Non capitulating
Spread to produce secondary tumours
Cancerous
What is metastasis?
Cancers cells break away from the original tumour and spread to other parts of the body
What is cancer?
A collection of diseases that occur when abnormal cells grow multiply uncontrollably invading and destroying heathy tissues
Why is it important that cells can divide?
To grow and repair cells
Reproduction
When should the cell cycle be faster?
Pregnancy
Injury
Puberty
What is the role of the proto-oncogene?
Stimulates cell division
What is the problem if proto-oncogene mutates?
Becomes oncogene and over stimulation
What is the role of the tumour suppressor gene?
Code for proteins which inhibits cell division
What is the problem if the tumour suppressor gene mutates?
No protein inhibitor - increases cell division
What is programmed cell death called?
Apoptosis
What ways can cancer be ‘treated’?
Surgery
Radiation
Chemotherapy
Cryosurgery
What is cryosurgery?
Liquid nitrogen - created scab and can lead to infertility
In adults what are DNA samples usually taken from?
Blood
Check swab
What can some anticlotting chemicals affect?
DNA
What do genetic diseases need which may be unavailable?
Larger samples
What can be cross contaminated during DNA sampling?
Prenatal with maternal blood
What is the process for genetic screening?
1 Prelmplanation genetic testing
2 prenatal genetic testing
3 newborn genetic testing
4 diagnostic and carrier testing
What is amniocentesis testing?
Needle used to withdraw foetal cells from amniotic fluid
What is chorionic villus sampling?
Suction tbs used to gain foetal cells from chorion
Why can genetic tests in pregnancy be helpful?
Inform future decisions
Abortion
Extra support
Why can genetic testing be controversial?
Poses the question on who should be aborted or not
