 | ||||
Editor
Do you like to know how things work? Come here to find out how the universe works—from the world of cells to the world of galaxies. You will find out what we know and what we don’t know. And who knows…maybe one day you will help figure out the mysteries of our existence!
This issue is dedicated to “All Things Round”, so look below to find out about the cycle of CELLS GONE BAD.
Ethan
Cells Gone Bad!
Cancer is the cell cycle gone bad. Cancer starts when the cell cycle in a single cell or a small group of cells starts dividing uncontrollably. The differences between a cancer cell and a regular cell is that a regular cell divides slowly or not at all, but cancer cells divide uncontrollably. A cancer cell divides so quickly because of mutations in its genes.
Mutant Genes
The three types of genes that cause cancer are oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and genes that repair damaged genes. Oncogenes are mutant genes that tell the cell to divide rapidly. Tumor suppressor genes are genes that normally put the brakes on cell division. When they are mutated the brakes are off and the cell divides when it is not supposed to. If oncogenes are in your cell it can become a cancer cell. If there are no tumor suppressor genes the cell can also divide rapidly. If there are no genes that repair damaged genes in a cell then damaged genes can mutate into forms that cause cancer.
Article
by Ethan
| ||||
Contact Us
What is a Regular Cell Cycle?
The cell cycle is when a cell divides into two daughter cells. For the first step, a cell makes a copy of all of its genes. Then the cell divides into two daughter cells and each daughter cell gets one copy of the original cell’s genes. Cells in your body use the cell cycle to grow and replace lost cells. For example, cells in lower layers of your skin are always dividing to replace the outer layer of cells that is lost. Some cells, however, never divide and just sit there and do their job. They are not supposed to divide.
Is it Easy to Get Cancer?
Yes and No! A mutation can happen when a cell divides, but it is actually very difficult for a cell to mutate and become cancerous. For one thing it has to have about six mutations before the cell becomes cancerous. Also if a cell mutates, your body will likely get rid of the cell because it’s abnormal.
Some people are more likely to get a type of cancer because they are born with a mutation in a gene already. Also people can get a mutation in a gene from smoking because some chemicals in the smoke can cause a mutation.
Can a Cancer Cell Complete the Cycle and Become Healthy Again?
So far we do not know how to cure a cell once it has become cancerous. We can only try to kill it, so it will no longer be able to reproduce and choke off all the healthy cells.
| ||||
| ||||
Cartoon
by Rosa
