https://www.stuvia.com/user/profgoodluck
BIOL 331 / BIOL331 Module 2 (Latest 2026/2027 Update)
Pathophysiology | Verified Questions & Answers | Grade A |
100% Correct – Portage Learning
Define neoplasia and neoplasm
Neoplasia is a disorder of altered cell differentiation and growth. Neoplasm is the "new
growth."
Define proliferation and differentiation
Proliferation is an adaptive process for new cell growth to replace old cells or when
additional cells are needed. Differentiation is the process by which cells become more
specialized with each mitotic division.
What are the 3 main groups of cells that proliferate?
1.) well-differentiated neurons and cells of skeletal and cardiac muscles that rarely
divide and reproduce
2.) progenitor or parent cells that continue to divide and reproduce, such as blood, skin,
and liver cells
3.) undifferentiated stem cells that can enter the cell cycle and produce large numbers of
progenitor cells if needed
What are progenitor cells?
parent cells of the same lineage that have not yet differentiated to the extent that they
have lost their ability to divide
What are the benefits of the stem cell?
Stem cells remain dormant until they are needed. When needed, they can divide,
produce other stem cells, and carry out the functions of the differentiated cell.
they also possess self-renewal and potency properties
What is a polyp?
A growth that projects from a mucosal surface such as the intestine, it can be benign or
malignant.
Explain metastasis and how it occurs:
A process whereby growth continues, cells detach, invade the surrounding tissue, and
enter the blood and lymph systems to spread to other sites.
, What are the two broad categories of malignant neoplasms?
Solid tumors and hematologic cancers
Explain what carcinoma in situ is?
A localized pre-invasive lesion that can typically be surgically removed or treated and
recurrence is less likely
What is seeding?
Seeding of cancer cells into body cavities occurs when a tumor sheds cells into these
spaces. Most often seeding occurs into the peritoneal cavity
What is important about the sentinel node?
The sentinel node is the first lymph node to which the primary tumor drains. This
lymph node is examined for the presence of cancer cells.
What is angiogenesis?
The development of new blood vessels within a tumor that has reached a distant site
What are the 2 broad etiologic causes of cancer?
1. The genetic and molecular mechanisms that transform normal cells to cancer cells.
2. The external factors such as age, heredity, and environmental agents.
What are the 2 cancer associated genes?
proto-oncogenes and tumor supressor genes
What are the 3 genetic events that lead to oncogene formation and activation?
Point mutation, chromosomal translocation and gene amplification
What the 6 molecular and cellular mechanisms that are known to facilitate the
development of cancer?
1. defects in DNA repair mechanisms
2. defects in growth factor signaling
3. evasion of apoptosis
4. avoidance of cellular senescence
5. development of sustained angiogenesis
6. metastasis and invasion
What are the 7 risk factors that can lead to the development of cancer?
Risk factors linked to cancer include heredity, hormonal factors, obesity, immunologic
mechanisms, environmental agents such as chemicals, radiation, and cancer-causing
viruses.
Give an example of a hereditary cancer:
BRCA1,2 causes breast and ovarian cancer
BIOL 331 / BIOL331 Module 2 (Latest 2026/2027 Update)
Pathophysiology | Verified Questions & Answers | Grade A |
100% Correct – Portage Learning
Define neoplasia and neoplasm
Neoplasia is a disorder of altered cell differentiation and growth. Neoplasm is the "new
growth."
Define proliferation and differentiation
Proliferation is an adaptive process for new cell growth to replace old cells or when
additional cells are needed. Differentiation is the process by which cells become more
specialized with each mitotic division.
What are the 3 main groups of cells that proliferate?
1.) well-differentiated neurons and cells of skeletal and cardiac muscles that rarely
divide and reproduce
2.) progenitor or parent cells that continue to divide and reproduce, such as blood, skin,
and liver cells
3.) undifferentiated stem cells that can enter the cell cycle and produce large numbers of
progenitor cells if needed
What are progenitor cells?
parent cells of the same lineage that have not yet differentiated to the extent that they
have lost their ability to divide
What are the benefits of the stem cell?
Stem cells remain dormant until they are needed. When needed, they can divide,
produce other stem cells, and carry out the functions of the differentiated cell.
they also possess self-renewal and potency properties
What is a polyp?
A growth that projects from a mucosal surface such as the intestine, it can be benign or
malignant.
Explain metastasis and how it occurs:
A process whereby growth continues, cells detach, invade the surrounding tissue, and
enter the blood and lymph systems to spread to other sites.
, What are the two broad categories of malignant neoplasms?
Solid tumors and hematologic cancers
Explain what carcinoma in situ is?
A localized pre-invasive lesion that can typically be surgically removed or treated and
recurrence is less likely
What is seeding?
Seeding of cancer cells into body cavities occurs when a tumor sheds cells into these
spaces. Most often seeding occurs into the peritoneal cavity
What is important about the sentinel node?
The sentinel node is the first lymph node to which the primary tumor drains. This
lymph node is examined for the presence of cancer cells.
What is angiogenesis?
The development of new blood vessels within a tumor that has reached a distant site
What are the 2 broad etiologic causes of cancer?
1. The genetic and molecular mechanisms that transform normal cells to cancer cells.
2. The external factors such as age, heredity, and environmental agents.
What are the 2 cancer associated genes?
proto-oncogenes and tumor supressor genes
What are the 3 genetic events that lead to oncogene formation and activation?
Point mutation, chromosomal translocation and gene amplification
What the 6 molecular and cellular mechanisms that are known to facilitate the
development of cancer?
1. defects in DNA repair mechanisms
2. defects in growth factor signaling
3. evasion of apoptosis
4. avoidance of cellular senescence
5. development of sustained angiogenesis
6. metastasis and invasion
What are the 7 risk factors that can lead to the development of cancer?
Risk factors linked to cancer include heredity, hormonal factors, obesity, immunologic
mechanisms, environmental agents such as chemicals, radiation, and cancer-causing
viruses.
Give an example of a hereditary cancer:
BRCA1,2 causes breast and ovarian cancer
