What makes a cancer cell different from a normal cell?

Answer 1

There are several differences between a cancerous cell and a normal cell. The most important is on the DNA level. Normal cell division is monitored by the cell cycle, which is controlled by cell cycle regulation complexes called cyclins and cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs). Well, if all cells have the same cell cycle proteins (since all cells have the same DNA) you might ask how come we have some cells that last our whole lives, yet skin cells are replicated around the clock.

Different cell types express different receptors, and have different ECM and cell-cell adhesion molecules on their surfaces. When these cell surface molecules are stimulated, they enter pathways through signal transduction that cascade, ultimately in the nucleus, where a certain protein would be transcribed. This protein has an effect on whether a cell is supposed to divide (mitosis), stay the same, or die (apoptosis), by interacting with cyclin/CDK complexes. There are many receptors, with many pathways that converge at the cell cycle complexes, and they all work together, with fine balance!

Now, two types of genes are cited in cancer, oncogenes, and tumor suppresor genes. A mutation in a pathway could end up stopping a pathway that slows down the cell cycle, leading to replication. This would be called a tumor suppressor gene. A mutation can also disrupt the function of a pathway leading to a gene that normally favors mitosis. This would be called an oncogene. In both cases, the cell loses control of its cell cycle, and lots of replication (called neoplasia) occurs.

Besides DNA there are other differences between cancerous cells and non-cancerous cells. First, vasculature around cancerous cells is plentiful, but very unorganized. Second, cancer cells are HIGHLY metabolic (given the fact that they are dividing all the time). Third, groups of any normal cell type are usually pretty similar, but there is a large degree of heterogeneity in cancer cells.

Answer 2

essentially a cancer cell is what we call a immortal cell. What this means is that cells division machinary, as some have mentioned, has broken down due to a break down in either the genetic code, transcription factors that mutate or destroyed by some toxin, or actual DNA encoding problems. Cancer cells start multiplying at an alarming rate, and also have the ability to sequester blood vesseles to grow towards them to supply ample nutrients. Cancer cells also have the ability to signal and spred through the blood stream, to either allow for other tumors to become invasive or start up. Cancer cells will grow so large that they will take up all the "energy" or nutrients that would normally go to the tissue that it has invaded, causing that tissue, lets say the liver or kidneys, to not work properly. These are just some differences, their are many more however i dont know how much you really care to know.

Answer 3

There are a number of factors that can cause a cell to become cancerous. UV light, ionizing radiation, certain viruses, various chemicals, and errors in replication. All of these cause DNA damage and if the damage is in an important part of the genome then cancer is a possibility.

Primarily, cancerous cells exhibit a breakdown of cellular control. A number of things happen when this occurs. One is the tendency to replicate uncontrollably. This can give rise to tumors. Another thing that can happen is that the cell becomes undifferentiated. Meaning that they lose the characteristics of the cell type they were previously.

Hope this helps

Answer 4

Nearly a cancer phone is what we call a immortal cell. What this implies is that cells division machinary, as some have recounted, has broken down when you consider that of a smash down in both the genetic code, transcription motives that mutate or destroyed through some toxin, or genuine DNA encoding problems. Melanoma cells multiplying at an alarming cost, and also have the ability to sequester blood vesseles to develop in the course of them to give abundant nutrients and minerals. Cancer cells also have the expertise to signal and spred by way of the blood circulate, to both permit for exclusive tumors to emerge as invasive or begin up. Cancer cells will improve so enormous that they will soak up all the "vigor" or vitamins and minerals in order to normally go to the tissue that it has invaded, causing that tissue, we would say the liver or kidneys, to not work absolutely. These are just some variations, their are many extra nonetheless i dont understand how a lot you peculiarly care to understand.

Answer 5

A normal cell has certain biological checks that prevent it from proliferating out of control, and make it die when it is damaged. A cancerous cell has had genes damaged or removed that code for those checks, and so it will continue to grow and replicate out of control. Viruses can contribute to cancer by making these mutations occur. It takes something like at least six gene mutations for a cell to become cancerous.

Answer 6

A normal cell divides regularly and has nothing wrong with its general structure, function the way it divides. A cancerous cell could have something such as a function problem, saying that it doesn't function right. When that cancerous cell divides, it is dividing the problem too, thus allowing the problem to invade other parts of the body.

Answer 7

in truth a maximum cancers cellular phone is what we call a immortal telephone. What this suggests is that cells branch machinary, as some have suggested, has damaged down because of a spoil down in both the genetic code, transcription causes that mutate or destroyed by technique of way of a few toxin, or certainly DNA encoding issues. maximum cancers cells start up multiplying at an alarming value, and now be in a position to sequester blood vesseles to strengthen interior the direction of them to grant sufficient supplements and minerals. maximum cancers cells actually have the means to signal and spred by ability of the blood flow, to both enable for diverse tumors to grow to be invasive or start up up. maximum cancers cells will strengthen so huge that they are going to take in each of the "power" or supplements and minerals which will frequently bypass to the tissue that it has invaded, causing that tissue, shall we are saying the liver or kidneys, to no longer artwork thoroughly. those are in basic terms some differences, their are many more effective nonetheless i dont understand how a lot you somewhat care to charm to close.

Answer 8

The cell has become corrupt, and the broken code causes it to multiply much faster than normal. This, along with other mutations sometimes, causes tumors.

Answer 9

Cancer cells have an uncontrollable rate of division and duplication and have the ability to invade other tissues and organs.