VocabularyLocal regulators:
A secreted molecule that influences cells near where it is secreted Ligand: A molecule that specifically binds to another molecule, often a larger one Receptor tyrosine kinases: A receptor protein spanning the plasma membrane, the cytoplasmic part of which can catalyze the transfer of a phosphate group from ATP to a tyrosine on another protein Protein phosphates: Enzymes that can rapidly remove phosphate groups from proteins Scaffolding proteins: Large relay proteins to which several other related proteins are simultaneously attached Genome: A cell's endowment of DNA Cytokinesis: The division of the cytoplasm Mitotic spindle: An assemblage of microtubules and associated proteins that is involved in the movement of chromosomes during mitosis Aster: A radial array of short microtubules, extends from each centrosome Cleavage furrow: The first sign of cleavage in an animal cell; a shallow groove around the cell in the cell's surface near the old metaphase plate |
Application to cancer ResearchIn chapter 11 of this unit, apoptosis was introduced. Apoptosis i.e programmed cell death is a natural phenomenon of the living world where cells receive a signal that then tells it to essentially die. This knowledge can be used in cancer research because if doctors could figure out a way to send those signals directly to cancer cells and only affect the cancers cells then the doctor could control the life of the cancer in the patient. This may be far fetched but it is possible for scientists and doctors alike to devise a way to do this.
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