Question

Hypothesize about tumor growth. Scientists have shown that tumor growth is an example of positive feedback loops. Why is tumor growth an example of positive feedback? In your answer elaborate using the following terms stimulus, receptor, control center, effector, response.

Answer 1

The connection between cancer cells stimulates uncontrolled proliferation and tumor growth

Explanation:

In the tumor, cancer cells are interconnected by different types of proteins, which may act as receptors or amplify oncogenic signals. For example, in breast cancer, it has been shown that oncogenic cells are often connected through E-cadherin proteins that mediate their adhesion, thereby stimulating the cell movement and invasion (characteristic of tumor metastasis). In this case, E-cadherin membrane proteins function by enhancing effector response in cancer cells. The nucleus acts as the control center of the cell that modulates the expression of tumor suppressor genes in order to inhibit tumor metastasis.