Cell Death and Neoplasia

Question 1

What are the three major types of cell death?

Answer 1

Apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy

These are the primary classifications of cell death processes.

Question 2

Define apoptosis.

Answer 2

A highly regulated process that allows a cell to self-degrade to eliminate unwanted or dysfunctional cells.

Question 3

What is the Greek origin of the term ‘apoptosis’?

Answer 3

Apo: from, separation from; ptosis: dropping, falling down.

Question 4

Who first described apoptosis?

Answer 4

Kerr, Wyllie and Currie in 1972.

Question 5

In what biological processes is apoptosis involved?

Answer 5

Embryonic development and homeostasis in multicellular organisms.

Question 6

What is syndactyly?

Answer 6

A condition where cells in the interdigital space fail to undergo apoptosis.

Question 7

What is a characteristic signal of apoptotic cells?

Answer 7

Phosphatidylserine externalization.

Question 8

What happens to mitochondria during apoptosis?

Answer 8

Mitochondria break down and cytochrome c is released.

Question 9

How does apoptosis differ from necrosis?

Answer 9

Apoptosis is regulated and does not cause inflammation; necrosis is unregulated and causes inflammation.

Question 10

What are the two main apoptotic pathways?

Answer 10

Extrinsic pathway, intrinsic pathway.

Question 11

What role does P53 play in apoptosis?

Answer 11

Regulates cell cycle, DNA repair, apoptosis, and genomic integrity.

Question 12

What is neoplasia?

Answer 12

Formation of an abnormal mass of proliferating cells with significant autonomy.

Question 13

What is the primary characteristic of cancer?

Answer 13

Uncontrolled growth.

Question 14

What is the difference between primary and secondary tumors?

Answer 14

Primary tumor is at the initial site; secondary tumor spreads to other tissues or organs.

Question 15

What is carcinogenesis?

Answer 15

The process by which a normal cell is transformed into a malignant cell.

Question 16

What is anaplasia?

Answer 16

Lack of differentiation in neoplastic cells.

Question 17

Define hyperplasia.

Answer 17

Cell response leading to proliferation beyond normal limits.

Question 18

What distinguishes benign tumors from malignant tumors?

Answer 18

Mode of growth: benign tumors expand and remain localized; malignant tumors infiltrate and metastasize.

Question 19

What is the role of caspases in apoptosis?

Answer 19

Cysteine-dependent aspartate-specific proteases that execute apoptosis.

Question 20

What is the significance of the Edwin Smith Papyrus?

Answer 20

It contains the oldest description of cancer, documenting cases of breast tumors.

Question 21

What does the term ‘oncogene’ refer to?

Answer 21

A gene that has the potential to cause cancer.

Question 22

What is the Somatic Mutation Theory of Cancer?

Answer 22

Proposed by Theodor Boveri, it suggests that cancer arises from mutations in somatic cells.

Question 23

What happens to chromatin during apoptosis?

Answer 23

Condensation of chromatin and fragmentation of genomic DNA occurs.

Question 24

What are the characteristics of malignant tumors?

Answer 24

Faster growth, infiltration, and abnormal histological features.

Question 25

Fill in the blank: The exposure of _______ on the outer plasma membrane is a unique feature of apoptotic cells.

Answer 25

phosphatidylserine

Question 26

What is the mode of growth for benign tumors?

Answer 26

Expansion ## Footnote Benign tumors remain localized.

Question 27

What is the mode of growth for malignant tumors?

Answer 27

Infiltration and metastasis by lymphatic, blood vessels, and across tissue spaces ## Footnote Malignant tumors spread throughout the body.

Question 28

How does the rate of growth differ between benign and malignant tumors?

Answer 28

Benign tumors grow slower; malignant tumors grow faster.

Question 29

What are the histological features of benign tumors?

Answer 29

* Similar to tissue of origin * Nuclei normal * Cells uniform in shape and size * Usually surrounded by a fibrous capsule

Question 30

What are the histological features of malignant tumors?

Answer 30

* Many differ from tissue of origin * Nuclei enlarged, often with prominent nucleoli and abnormal mitotic figures * Cells variable in shape, size, and polarity (pleomorphism)

Question 31

What are the clinical effects of benign tumors?

Answer 31

* Local pressure effects * Hormone secretion * Cured by adequate local excision

Question 32

What are the clinical effects of malignant tumors?

Answer 32

* Local pressure and tissue-destructive effects * Inappropriate hormone secretion * Not cured by local excision due to metastasis

Question 33

What factors influence an individual's risk of developing cancer?

Answer 33

* Age * Lifestyle * Genetic make-up

Question 34

What percentage of all cancers in the UK are linked to tobacco, alcohol, diet, and other factors?

Answer 34

More than 40%

Question 35

What is the single most important cause of preventable death in the UK?

Answer 35

Cigarette smoking

Question 36

How many cancers in the UK each year are linked to alcohol?

Answer 36

Around 12,500

Question 37

What dietary factors increase the risk of certain cancers?

Answer 37

* Low fibre diet * Low consumption of fruit and vegetables * High consumption of red and processed meats * Higher intake of salt or saturated fats

Question 38

What is the most important modifiable risk factor for skin cancers?

Answer 38

Excessive exposure to UV radiation (from the sun or sunbeds)

Question 39

What role does physical activity play in cancer risk?

Answer 39

Protects against colon and breast cancer, independently of its effect on bodyweight.

Question 40

What types of agents play a key role in causing certain types of cancer?

Answer 40

Infectious agents, especially certain viruses

Question 41

What are oncogenes?

Answer 41

Genes associated with the stimulation of cell division.

Question 42

How many mutant alleles of a gene are required for cancer to result from oncogenes?

Answer 42

Only one mutant allele

Question 43

What are Tumour Suppressor Genes (TSG)?

Answer 43

Genes associated with inhibition of cell division.

Question 44

How many alleles of Tumour Suppressor Genes need to be altered for cancer to occur?

Answer 44

Both alleles of the gene must be altered.

Question 45

What is the TNM Staging Classification?

Answer 45

* T: relates to size and spread of primary tumor into adjacent organs * N: relates to regional lymph nodes * M: relates to presence of metastases

Question 46

What does a Grade 1 tumor indicate?

Answer 46

Well differentiated

Question 47

What does a Grade 4 tumor indicate?

Answer 47

Undifferentiated

Question 48

What is the importance of cancer staging?

Answer 48

* Helps the doctor plan appropriate treatment * Estimates a person's prognosis * Identifies clinical trials that may be suitable * Helps healthcare providers and researchers exchange information

Question 49

What is the relationship between proto-oncogenes and oncogenes?

Answer 49

Most oncogenes occur as somatic mutations.