Portage Pathophysiology Module 2
Questions Answered Correctly (Qs) 2026
update
cancer - CORRECT ANSWERS - second leading cause of death in the United States
- unregulated growth of abnormal cells.
neoplasia - CORRECT ANSWERS - means "new growth."
- disorder of altered cell differentiation and growth
- new growth itself is neoplasm
Proliferation, - CORRECT ANSWERS process of cell division, is an adaptive process for new
cell growth to replace old cells or when additional cells are needed.
Differentiation - CORRECT ANSWERS process by which cells become more specialized with
each mitotic division.
Apoptosis - CORRECT ANSWERS eliminates senescent (old), damaged, or unwanted cells
through a process of controlled cell death.
Proto-oncogenes - CORRECT ANSWERS encode proteins that signal for the cell to proliferate
through a tightly regulated process
tumor suppressor genes - CORRECT ANSWERS encode proteins that inhibit cell growth and
signal (when necessary) for apoptosis
cell cycle - CORRECT ANSWERS - process by which a cell duplicates its genetic information
and divides between two genetically identical daughter cells,
- four phases: G1, S, G2, and M.
,G1 (gap 1): DNA synthesis stops while the cell enlarges and both RNA and protein synthesis begins.
S phase: DNA synthesis occurs, producing two separate sets of chromosomes, one for each daughter
cell.
G2 (gap 2): DNA synthesis again stops while RNA/protein synthesis continues. These first three phases
are referred to as interphase.
M phase: consists of mitosis (dividing up the DNA) and cytoplasmic division. Continually dividing cells,
like the skin's squamous epithelium, continue to cycle from one mitotic division to the next, while some
cells go into a resting state known as G0. A resting phase (G0) may occur when nutrients or growth
factors are unavailable or when highly specialized cells first leave the cell cycle. Cells in G0 may then re-
enter the cell cycle when nutrients become available, or the cell receives stimuli via growth factors,
hormones, or other signals that trigger cell growth, such as blood loss or tissue injury. Notably, highly
specialized and terminally differentiated cells, like neurons, may permanently stay in G0
cell cycle checkpoints - CORRECT ANSWERS a means of molecular surveillance used to
ensure the cell is ready to proceed to the next phase. If not, the cycle is halted and allowed to complete
its replication or even repair any DNA damage (when detected), thereby ensuring all the genetic
information is passed on correctly.
Cell proliferation - CORRECT ANSWERS process of increasing cell numbers by mitotic cell
division
Human cell categories: - CORRECT ANSWERS 1. gametes (ovum and sperm)
- haploid, one set of chromosomes from one parent
-when fuse, become diploid somatic cells
2. somatic (non-reproductive) cells.
,3 groups of cells that proliferate: - CORRECT ANSWERS (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, such as blood, skin, and liver cells;
(3) undifferentiated stem cells that can enter the cell cycle and produce large numbers of progenitor
cells if needed.
Cell differentiation - CORRECT ANSWERS process by which cells become more specialized in
both their structure and function.
- resulting adult cell has a specific set of characteristics relative to its composition, function, and
turnover (lifespan) rates.
-example: generalized blood-forming cells in the bone marrow differentiate into specialized adult red
blood cells programmed to develop into concave disks and serve as an oxygen transport for about three
months.
progenitor or parent cells - CORRECT ANSWERS When specialized cells are unable to divide,
these cell populations rely on progenitor or parent cells of the same lineage that are still able to divide.
Such cells are not yet fully differentiated to the same extent as mature specialized cells and yet are
differentiated enough to give rise to daughter cells of the same lineage.
Stem cells - CORRECT ANSWERS - remain incompletely differentiated and dormant until they
are needed.
- begin to divide, producing not only other stem cells, but also cells capable of carrying out the functions
of the needed differentiated cell.
- When a stem cell divides, one daughter cell retains the stem cell characteristics, while the other
daughter cell becomes a progenitor cell until it reaches a state of terminal differentiation
Two important properties that stem cells possess are - CORRECT ANSWERS (1) self-renewal
- stem cell can undergo numerous mitotic divisions while maintaining an undifferentiated state.
(2) potency
- differentiation potential of stem cells.
, Pluripotent stem cells, often referred to as 'master cells,' can potentially differentiate into any cell type.
Multipotent stem cells can differentiate into only a few select types.
Unipotent stem cells are restricted to a single cell type but can maintain self-renewal.
Two types of stem cells: - CORRECT ANSWERS (1) embryonic
- play a major role in the developing embryo, giving rise to the three main germ layers (endoderm,
mesoderm, and ectoderm) which in turn develop into all the organ systems of the body.
(2) adult stem cells.
- have significant roles in homeostasis, contributing to tissue regeneration and replacement of cells lost
to apoptosis.
Oncology - CORRECT ANSWERS -study or science of neoplasm
tumor - CORRECT ANSWERS commonly used to refer to a cancerous mass of cells, can be
caused by inflammation and trauma too
- either benign or malignant
Benign neoplasms - CORRECT ANSWERS - well-differentiated cells, resemble the cells of
tissues of origin, and have a slow, progressive rate of growth.
- expand, remain localized, do not metastasize
- develop fibrous capsule (rim of connective tissue around the tumor)
Malignant neoplasms - CORRECT ANSWERS - invade and destroy tissue.
- grow fast, lack well-defined margins
- can compress blood vessels and outgrow their blood supply, causing ischemia and tissue injury
Questions Answered Correctly (Qs) 2026
update
cancer - CORRECT ANSWERS - second leading cause of death in the United States
- unregulated growth of abnormal cells.
neoplasia - CORRECT ANSWERS - means "new growth."
- disorder of altered cell differentiation and growth
- new growth itself is neoplasm
Proliferation, - CORRECT ANSWERS process of cell division, is an adaptive process for new
cell growth to replace old cells or when additional cells are needed.
Differentiation - CORRECT ANSWERS process by which cells become more specialized with
each mitotic division.
Apoptosis - CORRECT ANSWERS eliminates senescent (old), damaged, or unwanted cells
through a process of controlled cell death.
Proto-oncogenes - CORRECT ANSWERS encode proteins that signal for the cell to proliferate
through a tightly regulated process
tumor suppressor genes - CORRECT ANSWERS encode proteins that inhibit cell growth and
signal (when necessary) for apoptosis
cell cycle - CORRECT ANSWERS - process by which a cell duplicates its genetic information
and divides between two genetically identical daughter cells,
- four phases: G1, S, G2, and M.
,G1 (gap 1): DNA synthesis stops while the cell enlarges and both RNA and protein synthesis begins.
S phase: DNA synthesis occurs, producing two separate sets of chromosomes, one for each daughter
cell.
G2 (gap 2): DNA synthesis again stops while RNA/protein synthesis continues. These first three phases
are referred to as interphase.
M phase: consists of mitosis (dividing up the DNA) and cytoplasmic division. Continually dividing cells,
like the skin's squamous epithelium, continue to cycle from one mitotic division to the next, while some
cells go into a resting state known as G0. A resting phase (G0) may occur when nutrients or growth
factors are unavailable or when highly specialized cells first leave the cell cycle. Cells in G0 may then re-
enter the cell cycle when nutrients become available, or the cell receives stimuli via growth factors,
hormones, or other signals that trigger cell growth, such as blood loss or tissue injury. Notably, highly
specialized and terminally differentiated cells, like neurons, may permanently stay in G0
cell cycle checkpoints - CORRECT ANSWERS a means of molecular surveillance used to
ensure the cell is ready to proceed to the next phase. If not, the cycle is halted and allowed to complete
its replication or even repair any DNA damage (when detected), thereby ensuring all the genetic
information is passed on correctly.
Cell proliferation - CORRECT ANSWERS process of increasing cell numbers by mitotic cell
division
Human cell categories: - CORRECT ANSWERS 1. gametes (ovum and sperm)
- haploid, one set of chromosomes from one parent
-when fuse, become diploid somatic cells
2. somatic (non-reproductive) cells.
,3 groups of cells that proliferate: - CORRECT ANSWERS (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, such as blood, skin, and liver cells;
(3) undifferentiated stem cells that can enter the cell cycle and produce large numbers of progenitor
cells if needed.
Cell differentiation - CORRECT ANSWERS process by which cells become more specialized in
both their structure and function.
- resulting adult cell has a specific set of characteristics relative to its composition, function, and
turnover (lifespan) rates.
-example: generalized blood-forming cells in the bone marrow differentiate into specialized adult red
blood cells programmed to develop into concave disks and serve as an oxygen transport for about three
months.
progenitor or parent cells - CORRECT ANSWERS When specialized cells are unable to divide,
these cell populations rely on progenitor or parent cells of the same lineage that are still able to divide.
Such cells are not yet fully differentiated to the same extent as mature specialized cells and yet are
differentiated enough to give rise to daughter cells of the same lineage.
Stem cells - CORRECT ANSWERS - remain incompletely differentiated and dormant until they
are needed.
- begin to divide, producing not only other stem cells, but also cells capable of carrying out the functions
of the needed differentiated cell.
- When a stem cell divides, one daughter cell retains the stem cell characteristics, while the other
daughter cell becomes a progenitor cell until it reaches a state of terminal differentiation
Two important properties that stem cells possess are - CORRECT ANSWERS (1) self-renewal
- stem cell can undergo numerous mitotic divisions while maintaining an undifferentiated state.
(2) potency
- differentiation potential of stem cells.
, Pluripotent stem cells, often referred to as 'master cells,' can potentially differentiate into any cell type.
Multipotent stem cells can differentiate into only a few select types.
Unipotent stem cells are restricted to a single cell type but can maintain self-renewal.
Two types of stem cells: - CORRECT ANSWERS (1) embryonic
- play a major role in the developing embryo, giving rise to the three main germ layers (endoderm,
mesoderm, and ectoderm) which in turn develop into all the organ systems of the body.
(2) adult stem cells.
- have significant roles in homeostasis, contributing to tissue regeneration and replacement of cells lost
to apoptosis.
Oncology - CORRECT ANSWERS -study or science of neoplasm
tumor - CORRECT ANSWERS commonly used to refer to a cancerous mass of cells, can be
caused by inflammation and trauma too
- either benign or malignant
Benign neoplasms - CORRECT ANSWERS - well-differentiated cells, resemble the cells of
tissues of origin, and have a slow, progressive rate of growth.
- expand, remain localized, do not metastasize
- develop fibrous capsule (rim of connective tissue around the tumor)
Malignant neoplasms - CORRECT ANSWERS - invade and destroy tissue.
- grow fast, lack well-defined margins
- can compress blood vessels and outgrow their blood supply, causing ischemia and tissue injury
