Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Part I
Pretend that your friend’s grandmother was recently diagnosed with and is currently undergoing
treatment for colorectal cancer. Fortunately, the cancer was detected very early and her prognosis is
excellent; you have every expectation that she will make a full recovery. Your friend, who is still in high
school, knows very little about cancer but has an interest in science and what makes cells work and has
many questions about what the oncologist has told you. How would you answer their questions? You’ll
need to address at least the following, and remember, your audience is your friend, so explain things
clearly and consider their base knowledge. Answer in 3-4 sentences.
1. Your friend knows cancer has something to do with cells growing out of control, but is confused
about how this works. Explain in a few sentences what happens normally when cells divide,
including the mechanisms involved. (1.5 pt)
Answer:
2. The oncologist said that your friend’s grandmother has a mutation in a gene called Ras and that
the mutation made her cells divide too much and caused polyps (a small growth on the colon).
They also said “the doctor said something about Ras being a proto-oncogene, or something”. A.
Explain to your cousin what a mutation is and how they arise. B. Explain how a mutation in a
proto-oncogene can make cells divide too much. Contrast proto-oncogenes with tumor
suppressor genes. C. Your friend still doesn’t understand proto-oncogenes and tumor
suppressor genes. Explain using an analogy different than the one used in class (come up with
one different than the gas pedal/brake analogy). (1.5 pts)
Answer
A.
B.
C.
3. Your friend’s grandmother has had polyps before, but they were removed before becoming
cancerous. A. Explain to your friend how their grandmother could have uncontrolled cell division
in those polyps but not yet have had cancer. B. Your friend still doesn’t quite understand how a
cell with a mutation in Ras isn’t automatically cancerous. Explain the multi-step model of cancer
development. C. Your friend still doesn’t understand why cells that are growing out of control are
not automatically considered cancerous. Explain to your friend why the other properties of
cancerous cells are necessary to develop the disease we call cancer. (1.5 pts)
Answer
A.
B.
C.
Part II
4. For your final portfolio, consider the above questions, and write a 200-250 word introduction to
cancer, focusing on the molecular causes. Your audience is an educated person who is not a
scientist, but who has a keen interest in cancer. (3 pts)
Answer
Part III
5. Think about the group activity we did in class. What suggestions did your group have for
improving your study designs for your case control and cohort studies? In a short paragraph or
two, describe the flaws in your original designs, and how your designs could be improved. (I will
also provide comments when I grade Assignment 3). For your final portfolio, you will include
your case control and cohort studies, so it might be beneficial to think about revisions now (2.5
pts)
Answer