Table of contents

1. Introduction to Genetics51m
2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
8. DNA Replication1h 10m
9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
10. Transcription1h 0m
11. Translation58m
12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
14. Genetic Control of Development44m
15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
16. Transposable Elements47m
17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- Genetic Cloning
  9m
- Methods for Analyzing DNA
  9m
19. Cancer Genetics29m
- Overview of Cancer
  21m
- Cancer Mutations
  7m
20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
21. Population Genetics50m
- Hardy Weinberg
  19m
- Allelic Frequency Changes
  31m
22. Evolutionary Genetics29m

19. Cancer Genetics

Overview of Cancer

Genetics

19. Cancer Genetics

Overview of Cancer

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2:28 minutes

Problem C.2a

Textbook Question

A tumor is a growing mass of abnormal cells. Describe the difference between a benign tumor and a malignant tumor.

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the definition of a tumor as a mass of abnormal cells that grow uncontrollably.

Step 2: Define a benign tumor as a non-cancerous growth that typically grows slowly and does not spread to other parts of the body.

Step 3: Define a malignant tumor as a cancerous growth that can grow rapidly, invade nearby tissues, and has the potential to spread (metastasize) to distant parts of the body.

Step 4: Highlight that benign tumors are usually encapsulated and less likely to cause serious harm, whereas malignant tumors are invasive and can disrupt normal body functions.

Step 5: Summarize the key difference: benign tumors remain localized and are generally less dangerous, while malignant tumors are aggressive and can spread, making them more harmful.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Benign Tumor

A benign tumor is a non-cancerous growth of abnormal cells that remains localized and does not invade surrounding tissues or spread to other parts of the body. These tumors usually grow slowly and are often encapsulated, making them less harmful and easier to remove.

Malignant Tumor

A malignant tumor is a cancerous growth characterized by uncontrolled cell division, invasion into nearby tissues, and the potential to metastasize, or spread, to distant organs. Malignant tumors are aggressive, can disrupt normal body functions, and often require more intensive treatment.

Tumor Growth and Metastasis

Tumor growth involves abnormal cell proliferation, but only malignant tumors have the ability to metastasize, meaning cancer cells break away, travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, and form new tumors elsewhere. This process distinguishes malignant tumors from benign ones and impacts prognosis and treatment.

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How do we know that cancer development requires more than one mutation?

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How do we know that malignant tumors arise from a single cell that contains mutations?

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A tumor is a growing mass of abnormal cells. What must happen for a benign tumor to become malignant?

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A tumor is a growing mass of abnormal cells. Give an example from this chapter of a benign tumor that becomes a malignant tumor.

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Textbook Question

For the retinal cancer retinoblastoma, the inheritance of one mutated copy of RB1 from one of the parents is often referred to as a mutation that produces a 'dominant predisposition to cancer.' This means that the first mutation does not produce cancer but makes it very likely that cancer will develop. Define the 'two-hit hypothesis' for retinoblastoma.

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Textbook Question

Where are the major regulatory points in the cell cycle?

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List the functions of kinases and cyclins, and describe how they interact to cause cells to move through the cell cycle.

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What is the difference between saying that cancer is inherited and saying that the predisposition to cancer is inherited?