Concept explainers
To analyze:
Why therapy that rebuilds the telomeres would not be a good way to achieve “eternal youth”.
Introduction:
The shortening of the telomere at each cycle of
Explanation of Solution
Cell death is very much a part of the natural functioning of a multicellular organism. This, however, leads to aging. It is known that the shortening of the telomeres of a chromosome beyond a certain point leads to cell death. However, if an attempt is made to maintain the length of telomeres by rebuilding them, the cells can turn cancerous. People who undergo such a therapy will have increased risk of cancer.
Rebuilding of the telomeres can make the cells become cancerous. this kind of therapy increases the risk of death by cancer. Therefore, it is not a good solution to the quest for “eternal youth”.
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Chapter 8 Solutions
WHAT IS LIFE? GDE.TO BIOLOGY W/PHYSIO.
- Oncologists (cancer doctors) frequently measure the mitotic index of tumor cells when they are removed via surgery or biopsy. What do you think is the value of finding out the mitotic index of these cells?arrow_forwardWhy do most cancer treatments at present target microtubule formation of the cell? What are the most recent discoveries in terms of cancer treatment?arrow_forwardTumors associated with breast cancer usually arise from either epithelial cells or fibroblasts. Because optimal treatment differs depending on the cellular origin of the tumor, it’s important for doctors to determine which cell type is present in a tumor. Unfortunately, the distinctive morphology of epithelial cells is lost when they become cancerous, so this determination cannot be made based on cell shape alone. How might determination of the class(es) of intermediate filaments present in tumor cells aid a doctor in figuring out which cell type is involved in the tumor?arrow_forward
- Sometimes a cells "deal with" damaged DNA by just killing off the cell. This special cellular suicide is called apoptosis. Usually, the cell cycle has checkpoints that prevent damaged/mutated cells from proceeding to the next phase, though. When these checkpoints don't work, apoptosis can be used. If apoptosis did NOT occur, how might the damaged DNA impact the rest of the cell cycle? A. it may not complete the cell cycle correctly B. new cells containing damaged DNA may be made C. the cell may enter G0 D. all of the above are options E. A and B, but not C F. B and C, but not Aarrow_forwardThe continuity of life depends on a cell cycle during which genetic information is passed from a parent cell to daughter cells. Because cell division plays several important roles in life, it is important that the cycle be regulated. Which of the following are reasons the cell cycle must be regulated? Select all that apply. The continuity of life depends on a cell cycle during which genetic information is passed from a parent cell to daughter cells. Because cell division plays several important roles in life, it is important that the cycle be regulated.Which of the following are reasons the cell cycle must be regulated? Select all that apply.[ ]To make sure cells only divide when conditions are favorable for growth and development of the organism[ ]To make sure daughter cells end up with the right number of chromosomes[ ]To make sure daughter cells are genetically different from the parent cell[ ]To allow cells to respond to cues from their internal state and from their environment.arrow_forwardScientists are able to isolate cells in various phases of the cell cycle. During an experiment in which Dr. Patrick McGroyn is causing cultured tumor cells to go through mitotic cell division, he isolates a group of cells that contain one and a half times more DNA than cells isolated in the G1 phase have. What phase must these cells be in? How do you know?arrow_forward
- A protein called p53 is another protein involved in controlling cell division. The protein p53 makes sure that if cells aren't functioning correctly, they don't divide anymore. Some people have damage to their p53 DNA and the protein isn't made correctly anymore. What might be a consequence if a person couldn't make the protein p53? A - Their cells would no longer use oxygen to make energy B - Their cells would no longer divide C - Their cells would make too much carbon dioxide D - Their cells could divide out of controlarrow_forwardEven though cytokinesis is included with Mitosis, we generally consider it to be its own phase. Why? by the time cytokinesis occurs, the cell has already split by the time cytokinesis occurs, the cytoplasm has already split by the time cytokinesis occurs, the nucleus has already split by the time cytokinesis occurs, the cell has copied all of its chromosomesarrow_forwardCell division cycle mutations render the mutants unable to continue the cell cycle. This phenotype creates a paradox where mutant cells must also be grown in the lab to further identify the gene and study the role of the protein. How do you think this problem can be solved?arrow_forward
- When some cancer cells produce growth factors that stimulate their own division leading to continuous self- stimulation for cell division it is referred to as a) TNF tumor necrosis factor b) AGS autocrine growth stimulationarrow_forwardDuring a routine check-up, a woman is informed by her doctor that she has developed a skin tumor. Although the woman is distraught, the doctor assures her that this is a benign tumor that will not spread to other parts of her body . Apparently, the mutation that led to the development of the tumor arose in one skin cell. After the skin tumor diagnosis, the woman and her male fiance ( who has not been diagnosed with a skin tumor) wonder whether they should start a family What is true? O All of the woman's children will inherit the mutation O All of the woman's children will inherit the mutation if the mutation is dominant O None of the woman's children will inherit the mutation © Some of the woman's children may inherit the mutation depending on which of her chromosomes they inheritarrow_forwardIf you were to look at a sample of “normal” cells, what phase of the cell cycle do you think most of the cells would be in? If you were to look at a sample of cancer cells, what phase of the cell cycle do you think most of the cells would be in?arrow_forward
- Human Heredity: Principles and Issues (MindTap Co...BiologyISBN:9781305251052Author:Michael CummingsPublisher:Cengage Learning