Transcript 2.5 Changes to a cell`s DNA

3.5 Changes to
Cell’s DNA
(Sec 2.5 pg 53)
• Your DNA provides the
instructions for how to build and
run your body. It is like the
operating system.
• Can it get altered? If so, what
happens when it gets altered?
• It turns out it can be altered. When DNA is being copied it can
be altered in a way similar to how you might copy a word
down wrong from the board. Also chemicals that we eat or
come in contact with can alter our DNA. This is called a
mutation.
• Mutations can be classified as beneficial
(good), neutral, or harmful.
• Genetic diseases are
caused by a harmful
mutation that causes
a needed protein to
function poorly or not
at all. Cystic Fibrosis
is a genetic disease
that allows mucus to
fill the lungs.
• Harmful mutations can also cause cancer.
Cancer is a disease in which cells grow out of
control and divide very rapidly.
• They outgrow the healthy cells around them and
they can form a tumor (growth)
• If they continue to invade new areas of the body we
say that the cancer has metastasized.
Benign –
• These tumors do not interfere with the normal
functioning of the body. They are usually contained in
one location and are not invading neighboring tissues.
Malignant
• These tumors
interfere with the
normal functioning
of the body and
cause it harm.
They also invade
surrounding tissues
and organs.
• What can cause cancer?
• Anything that alters the DNA can cause cancer. We
call these things Carcinogens.
• How do we fight cancer?
• We can use surgery to remove the tumor.
• We can use drugs (chemotherapy)
• We can use radiation to kill the tumor.