BIOLOGY
1
BIOLOGY 102: BIOLOGY, HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT LABORATORY
LAB 6 : CANCER
Laboratory Exercise:
1) Video Presentation
2) Design a Brochure
Objective:
Upon completion of this exercise a student should be able to:
- Understand the nature of cancer
Compare and contrast benign and malignant tumors
Identify the similarities among all cancers
Understand the mechanism(s) which prevent the growth of cancer cells
Identify and describe cancer causing genes
Background
Cancers are malignant forms of tumors. Tumors are masses of tissues that arise through mutations in the genes that govern cell growth and division. Benign tumors, such as skin moles, grow slowly in an un-programmed way. These tumors have surface recognition proteins that bind them to their home foundation. Benign tumors are not dangerous and do not irritate the patient.
Unlike benign tumors, malignant tumors arise due to abnormal and uncontrolled cell growth. These cells are grossly disfigured and can not make a normal plasma membrane. Malignant cells are unable to synthesize normal recognition proteins. They break away from their home tissue and travel in the blood to invade other parts of the body. Metastasis is termed for the process in which abnormal malignant cells migrate and invade other tissues.
Overall, cancer cells plasma membrane and cytoplasm changes profoundly. The plasma membrane becomes more permeable and the cytoskeleton becomes disorganized, shrinks, or both. The cancer cells grow and spread abnormally. These cells have a weakened capacity for adhesion and are very lethal. If the cells are not eradicated, the cells eventually kill the individual.
Genes that have the ability to induce a cancerous transformation are called oncogenes. They were first identified in retroviruses and are altered forms of normal genes called proto-oncogenes. Cancer involves more than one oncogene. Scientists have discovered three such genes that have been major contributors in all colon cancers and ovarian cancers. If detected early, cancer may still be curable via surgery. The gene P53 is known to be found in several cancers such as colon, breast, liver, lung, stomach, brain, skin, bladder cancers.
Name: ____________________________ Lab Day and Time_______________________
Pre-lab Exercise
1) Compare benign and malignant tumors.
2) Name at least 3 common cancers and identify their primary location.
3) What is meant by a metastatic cancer cell?
4) Explain why most cancer patients lose their hair during cancer therapy.
Activity-Design a Brochure (presentation included)
You are currently working for SNSM advertising company in Orangeburg, South Carolina. You have been selected to design a brochure using Microsoft Publisher or a similar program for a rare or prevalent cancer of your choice. You have the option of designing the brochure on your own or with someone in your cohort (class). Upper management has informed you that you are to be creative and most of all informative in your presentation as well as on your brochure. If your brochure is selected, it will be distributed to all major clinics, hospitals, and medical business in the south east United States. This is an opportunity of a lifetime-plan wisely. Be prepared to present to the Board and your colleagues about your selected cancer.