How does stomach cancer relate to the cell cycle?
1 Answer
Cancer is uncontrolled division of cells, or in other words, a disease of the cell cycle.
Explanation:
When stomach cells become cancerous and divide rapidly, it is most likely a cell cycle issue.
During the cell cycle, "checkpoints" exist to ensure that a cell divides when it is supposed to. For instance, checkpoints make sure that
- all the genetic code (DNA) has been replicated accurately in a cell
- chromosomes are lined up properly at the middle of the cell during metaphase
- spindle fibers or properly attached to the chromosomes
before cell division begins.
When cancer occurs, it could be a result of positive regulators being over-activated or cell cycle inhibitors being inactivated . Changes in cell cycle activity and inhibitors/regulators are due to mutations in the genetic code of the proteins.
Additionally, when a normal cell becomes damaged, the cell cycle usually forces the cell to undergo apoptosis, or programmed cell death. Cancer cells manage to avoid this cell death.
