Causes and Treatment of Cancer
Unit Study Guide
In addition to this unit study guide, complete:
Causes and Treatment of Cancer Culminating Project
Morphology of Normal versus Cancer Cells Laboratory Exercise
Chromosome Spread of HeLa Cancer Cells Laboratory Exercise
PART I: The cell cycle and cancer
In addition to what follows, complete:
Cancer and Genes Assignment
1. Evaluate: In what way is cancer a disease of cell division (see page 261)?
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2. Identify: What essential life processes require cell division (see Section 9.1, pp. 261-263)?
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3. Explain HOW and WHY DNA is packaged into chromosomes. In your answer use and explain the terms chromosome, chromatin, and sister chromatids (see page 83 and Section 9.3, pp. 264-265).
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4. With reference to provided diagram, describe the mitotic cell cycle (page 129). In your answer, define and explain the following terms: Interphase, G1 phase, S phase, G2 phase, Mitotic phase, DNA replication, Mitosis, and Cytokinesis (see Sections 9.4 & 9.5, pp. 265-269).
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5. Evaluate: Why is it absolutely essential that DNA replication occur before each round of cell division?
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6. With reference to the provided diagram, explain how DNA replication and the movement of chromosomes during mitosis produce daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell (see pp. 267-268).
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7. Describe/contrast the 3 major checkpoints that regulate the cell cycle (pp. 269-270, 272-274, & 308-310).
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8. Explain/contrast the role of proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in control of the G1 to S checkpoint. Provide specific examples of proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes and describe their function(s) in controlling the cell cycle (see pp. 278-279, pp. 285-286, and pp. 311-314).
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9. Explain HOW mutations in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes lead to cancer. Provide specific examples of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes that are mutated in cancers and describe HOW a mutation affects their function(s) (see pp. 278-279, pp. 285-286, and pp. 311-314).
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10. Describe 3 mutagens that cause mutation. Explain for each HOW it alters DNA structure (pp. 222-225).
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PART II: Human impact on the environment: pollution and cancer risk
In addition to what follows, complete:
Environmental Pollutants and Cancer Risk Research Assignment
1. Explain how the accumulation of chemicals in the environment can impact relative cancer risk in the human population. In your answer provide a specific example of a chemical and evaluate the relative cancer risk associated with exposure to that chemical.
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PART III: Radiation and mutations
1. Electromagnetic spectrum: With reference to the provided diagram, describe the relationship between wavelength, frequency, and energy within the electromagnetic spectrum (see pp. 224-225 and pp. 840-844; See also http://www.epa.gov/rpdweb00/understand/index.html)
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2. Diagram and describe the ionization of an atom as a result of exposure to high energy electromagnetic waves (see pp. 224-225, pp. 840-844, and Radiation and Nuclear Decay NOTES).
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3. Within the electromagnetic spectrum, identify the wave types that are potentially ionizing radiation (see figure above, pp. 224-225, and pp. 840-844).
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4. Describe the effect of ionizing radiation on DNA structure and relate these effects to mutation and cancer (pp. 224-225 and pp. 840-844).
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5. Describe the effect of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on DNA structure and relate this effect to the skin cancer risk associated with sun exposure (pp. 224-225 and pp. 840-844).
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6. Radioactive materials: Explain WHY certain substances are radioactive. In your answer use and explain the terms atom, nuclear stability, particles, and emission (see Radiation and Nuclear Decay NOTES).
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7. Describe what occurs during nuclear decay (nuclear emission) of a radioactive materials.
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8. a) Complete the following table to compare alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (g) radiation and X-rays in terms of particle emission, size, energy, ionizing ability, and penetrating capacity.
Radiation type / Particle emission / Size / Energy / Ionizing ability / Penetrating capacityAlpha (α)
Beta (β)
Gamma (g)
X-rays
b) Evaluate the relative risk associated with exposure to alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (g) radiation and X-rays. Support your analysis with specifics from the table above.
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9. Represent the nuclear changes that occur as a result of nuclear decay or absorption. Complete:
Nuclear Decay Practice Problems
10. With reference to the provided graph, explain what the half-life (t1/2) of a radioactive material is.
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11. Use half-life (t1/2) to describe and calculate radioactive decay. Complete:
Half-Life Practice Problems
12. Describe one mechanism by which enzymes can repair DNA damage caused by exposure to radiation. In your answer, identify the name(s) of the enzyme(s) and the type of DNA damage that it repairs, and explain HOW the enzyme functions to repair DNA damage (see Section 7.5, pp. 227-232).
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PART IV: Cellular aging and cancer
1. Evaluate: What does it mean to get “old?” In your answer, compare HOW aging affects a whole organism versus an individual cell (see NIH Inside the Cell, Chapter 5 “The Last Chapter: Cell Aging and Death”).
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2. Evaluate the role of the enzyme telomerase in cell aging and cancer. In your answer describe the function of telomerase and explain HOW its function relates to cell aging and cancer (see Inside the Cell, Chap 5).
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3. Describe oxidation and reduction in terms of the movement of electrons (e-). In your answer use and define the terms oxidation, reduction, oxidizing agent, and reducing agent (see pp. 325-329).
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4. Describe oxidation and reduction in terms of the movement of electrons (e-) and identify oxidizing and reducing agents in a chemical reaction (see pp. 325-329). Complete:
Oxidation-Reduction (Redox) Practice Problems
5. Evaluate the role of reactive oxygen species in cell aging and cancer. In your answer define the term reactive oxygen species and explain HOW they damage cells (HINT: Think oxidizing agent) (see NIH Inside the Cell, Chapter 5 “The Last Chapter: Cell Aging and Death” and pp. 325-329).
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PART V: Enzymes, pH, and equilibrium
In addition to what follows, complete:
Enzymes and pH CAPT Task Laboratory Exercise
1. Explain how an enzyme increases the rate of a chemical reaction. In your answer use and explain the terms catalyst and activation energy (EA) (see pp. 390-393 and 404-406, especially Figure 12.53).
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2. Explain WHY enzymes are highly specific and how an enzyme’s shape is related to its function. In your answer include and define the terms substrate and active site (see pp. 406-409).
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3. Analyze the diagram below to answer questions a. - f. that follow (see pp. 413-414, especially Figure 12.59).
a. What chemical reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme? Write your answer in the form of a chemical equation in the space below.
b. Which substance in the diagram is the substrate? ______
c. What is the name of the enzyme catalyzing this reaction? ______
d. Describe what is occurring at each of the four steps of the chemical reaction shown in the diagram.
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e. At which step does the chemical reaction actually take place? ______
f. Is the enzyme used up in the chemical reaction? (YES OR NO) ______. Explain your answer.
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4. Explain WHY each enzyme has an optimal pH and an optimal temperature for its function. In your answer use and explain the term to “denature.” (see pp. 409-410 and pp. 414)
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5. Explain HOW the pH scale reflects how acidic or basic a solution is (see pp. 333-338, 347-350, and 736-737, especially Figure 26.17 on p. 737). Which pH values indicate an acidic solution? A basic solution? A neutral solution? WHY?
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6. Compare and contrast: What is an acid? A base? HOW do they interact chemically? Provide specific examples of acids and bases and use and explain the terms: hydrogen ion (H+ ion), hydroxide ion (OH- ion), proton donor, proton acceptor, and conjugate acid-base pair (see pp. 333-338 and 347-350).
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7. a) Explain HOW water can function as both an acid and a base. In your answer, use and explain the terms: hydronium ion (H3O+ ion), hydroxide ion (OH- ion), proton donor, and proton acceptor (pp. 344-346).
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b) Write a chemical equation for the self-ionization of water, in which water acts as both an acid and a
base. In the equation, label the acid, proton donor, base, proton acceptor, hydronium ion (H3O+ ion),
and hydroxide ion (OH- ion) (pp. 344-346).
a) Explain HOW hydrogen ion (H+ ion) concentration and hydroxide ion (OH- ion) concentration are related in pure water at room temperature (25oC) (pp. 344-346).
8. Explain HOW to calculate pH from hydrogen ion (H+ ion) concentration. Provide both a mathematical equation and a written description of that equation. In your description, use and explain the term logarithmic scale (see pp. 333-338 and 347-350). .
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9. Explain HOW to calculate pH from hydroxide ion (OH- ion) concentration (see pp. 333-338, 344-346 and 347-350). (HINT: What is the relationship between hydrogen ion (H+ ion) and hydroxide ion (OH- ion) concentration in an aqueous solution?)
10. Calculate pH based upon the hydrogen ion (H+ ion) or hydroxide ion (OH- ion) concentration of a solution (see pp. 333-338, 344-346 and 347-350). Complete:
Calculating pH Practice Problems
11. ENZYMES and pH – Interpreting Graphs and Figures: An experiment was performed to examine the effect of pH on the rate of enzyme action for two protein-digesting enzymes.
Enzyme A is found in the stomach.
Enzyme B is found in the intestine.
The optimum pH is the pH that enables the highest
rate of enzyme action.
Data collected during the experiment are illustrated
in the graph shown to the right.
a) What is the optimum pH for Enzyme A? ______
b) What is the optimum pH for Enzyme B? ______
c) At what pH are the reaction rates for the two enzymes the same? ______
d) Based on the data, predict the likely pH of the stomach relative to the likely pH of the intestine. Explain your reasoning.
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12. Explain what is meant by saying that a chemical reaction has reached dynamic equilibrium (pp. 365-367).
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13. Explain HOW the equilibrium constant (Keq) of a chemical reaction is calculated. Provide a generic chemical equation, a generic mathematical equation for Keq for that chemical equation, and a written description of how an equilibrium constant (Keq) is determined (see pp. 367-375).
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14. Evaluate what the equilibrium constant (Keq) can tell us about a chemical reaction (pp. 365-375). What does a large equilibrium constant (Keq > 1) mean? A small equilibrium constant (Keq < 1)?
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15. Determine the equilibrium expression (Keq) for a chemical reaction and use it to calculate the concentration of reaction product(s) at equilibrium (see pp. 365-375). Complete:
Determining and Using an Equilibrium Expression (Keq) Practice Problems
16. Describe HOW a change in concentration of reactant(s) or product(s) can effect a chemical reaction at equilibrium (see pp. 379-381).
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17. Describe HOW a change in pressure can effect a chemical reaction at equilibrium (see pp. 382-383). (HINT: How do changes in volume affect pressure?)
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18. Describe HOW a change in temperature will effect an exothermic chemical reaction versus an endothermic chemical reaction at equilibrium (see pp. 385-387).
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19. Predict HOW a change in concentration, pressure, or temperature will affect a reaction at equilibrium.
(see pp. 379-387). Complete:
Disturbing a Reaction at Equilibrium Practice Problems
20. EXTENSION: Determine the dissociation constant (Ka or Kb) for a given acid or base dissociation reaction and use it to calculate the pH at equilibrium. Complete:
Equilibrium and pH Laboratory Exercise
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