Module 2: Problem Set
Define neoplasia and neoplasm:
Neoplasia is a disorder of altered cell differentiation and growth.
Neoplasm is the “new growth.”
Define proliferation and differentiation:
Proliferation, a process of cell division, is an adaptive process for new
cell growth to replace old cells or when additional cells are needed.
Differentiation is the process in which cells become more specialized
with each mitotic division.
What are the 3 main groups of cells that proliferate?
(1) well-differentiated neurons and cells of skeletal and cardiac muscles
that rarely divide and reproduce; (2) progenitor or parent cells that
continue to divide and reproduce, like blood, skin, and liver cells; (3)
undifferentiated stem cells that can enter the cell cycle and produce large
number of progenitor cells if needed.
What are progenitor cells?
The more specialized cells are unable to divide, so these cell populations
rely on progenitor or parent cells of the same lineage that have not yet
differentiated to the extent that they have lost their ability to divide. They
have enough differentiation so the daughter cells are limited to the same
cell line, but not quite differentiated enough to prohibit active
proliferation.
What are the benefits of the stem cell?
Stem cells remain dormant until they are needed. When needed, they can
divide, produce other stem cells, and carry out the functions of the
differentiated cell. Two important properties that stem cells possess are
self-renewal and potency. Self-renewal means the stem cell can undergo
numerous mitotic divisions while maintaining an undifferentiated state.
Potency describes the differentiation potential of stem cells.
What is a polyp?
