Download Cancer Cells - Answers - Iowa State University

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Who was Henrietta Lacks and why was she important?
Henrietta Lacks was a women who developed Cervical Cancer in the late 1940s, early
50s (died in 1951). These were the first cancer cells to be culture (from a pap smear, in vitro).
These cells were deemed ‘immortal’ because they never died - they just kept dividing and
dividing. Almost all original caner testing and research were done on her cells because they
lived on for so long.
Cancer Cells
What makes a cell cancerous (what do they posses or lack)?
They lack check points (or the check points lack authority to stop) that would stop a
normal cell from reproducing (G1). Therefore mutations and other issues within the cell are
passed on to the next generation, and the next and the next. They also lack density inhibitors will keep growing even if there is no room.
What are the causes of cancerous cells?
Viruses cause 15% - HPV (Human papilomavirus - cervical and oral cancer), Hep B
liver cancer
Genetic mutations - DNA damage or environmental carcinogens
How can cells become cancerous?
Damaged from environment - sun and smoke
What is a tumor?
a mass of tissue that serves no useful purpose and generally exist at the expense of
healthy tissues (density problem, pile up - and all offspring have same problem)
Compare and Contrast a benign and malignant tumor
Benign tumors are often non cancerous, grow slowly and locally and don’t regrow after
removal
Melignant tumors are cancerous, grow quickly, usually have an uncommon number of
chromosomes (mutation), no metabolic function, spread to other parts of body
What is Metastasis?
When a malignant tumor cell(s) separates from original site and enters the blood or
lymphatic system - could create new cancers/tumors throughout body
Supplemental Instruction
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