In this assignment you are a molecular biologist studying how cancer cells diffe
ID: 213327 • Letter: I
Question
In this assignment you are a molecular biologist studying how cancer cells differ from normal cells. You are asked to write a 2-page article for your local newspaper describing cancer risks in the environment. You should: 1. Explain what genetic changes occur in normal cells that cause them to become malignant. 2. Describe environmental and dietary risks for developing cancer. 3. Inform the public on how to reduce the risk of cancer 4. Read the article on Evolution within cancer cells found at:http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary /news/071001 cancer (Links to an external site.)e. Briefly deséribe how cancer cell can evolve and how cancer treatments can become more effective. Submit a Word document (1-2 pages) to complete this assignment. 03/20/18Explanation / Answer
1. Cancer is a genetic disorder in which normal cells lost its basic regulatory control, as a result the normal cells can grow uncontrollably and can invade into the other tissues. These altered cells acquire new characteristics that includes change in cell structure, decreased in cell adhesion and production of new enzymes. Accumulation of these newly developed characteristics of cancer cells are thought to be due to the mutation of protein coding genes that regulate cell cycle. Broadly, there are three categories of genes whose mutation cause cancer. The first group is the proto-oncogenes; the protein products of these group of genes normally enhance the cell cycle and inhibit normal cell death. Mutation in the proto-oncogenes that causes over-activation of them, called oncogenes leads to the formation of abnormal cells which can grow uncontrollably and become immortal in nature. The second group is the tumor-suppressor genes; the protein products of these group of genes normally associated with the prevention of cell cycle and promote cell death. The third category is the DNA repair genes, which help to prevent mutation that lead to cancer. There are four basic properties that normal cell generally acquires to become a cancer cell. Normal cells require external growth factors to divide, while the division of cancer cells does not require any of the external growth factors and they become independent cells rather that behaving as a part of the tissue. Normal cells exhibit contact inhibition, while cancer cells lost this property and form a large mass of cells that can touch each other. The aged normal cells are replaced by the new cells in a highly controlled manner. The division of normal cells depends on the presence of telomerase which replaces the end of the chromosome, called telomeres. Normal adult cells lack telomerase, so that it failed to divide and undergoes apoptosis. In contrast, cancer cells exhibit hyperactivated telomerase allowing the uncontrollable cell division. In case of normal cells, they stop to divide if they experienced DNA damage. On a contrary cancer cells can grow and continuously divide in the presence of abnormal mutated DNA
2. The agents which are considered to have potential to cause cancer are called carcinogenic. Some of the carcinogenic agents include the X-ray, UV ray, tobacco products, viruses, pollutants and many more. Some of the suspected risk factors of cancer can be avoided while some are not. These risk factors include age, alcohol, cancer-causing substrate (Aflatoxins, cadmium, benzene, asbestos, coke-oven emission, crystalline silica etc.), chronic inflammation, diet, hormones, immunosuppression, infectious agent (Epstein-Barr Virus, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Human Papillomaviruses etc.), obesity, radiation, sunlight, and tobacco products (cigarette smoke).
3.
Uptake a healthy and balanced diet:
Avoid sugary drinks as it is reported to increase the risk of endometrial cancer.
Try to uptake resistant starch, found in green bananas, rolled oats, and white beans, that may reduce the increased risk of colon cancer.
Eat foods like Brazil nuts, garlic, cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli) – all contain anti carcinogenic properties.
Maintain a healthy weight and be physically active
Avoid cigarette smoke and excess alcohol consumption
Protect skin from Sunrays
Consult physicians to know your body