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Quizzes > Science

Which phrase best describes cancer? A quick biology quiz

Quick, free cancer cells quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Paula WrightUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art cells on teal background, biology quiz challenge on cancer and cytokinesis

This quiz helps you identify which phrase best describes cancer and related steps like cytokinesis. Check your understanding, spot weak areas before a test, and build confidence with core cell-cycle terms. For more review, try the cell cycle and cancer quiz, explore a broader cancer quiz, or refresh basics with a cell biology practice quiz.

Which phrase best describes cancer?
Cell differentiation
Cellular senescence
Uncontrolled cell division
Programmed cell death
Cancer is characterized by cells that divide without the normal regulatory controls, leading to tumor formation and potential spread. It is not programmed cell death (apoptosis), which actually removes damaged or unnecessary cells. Differentiation and senescence represent processes that limit cell proliferation rather than promote it.
Which describes cytokinesis?
Formation of the mitotic spindle
Separation of the cell's cytoplasm
Breakdown of the nuclear envelope
Synthesis of DNA
Cytokinesis is the final step of cell division in which the cytoplasm and its contents are physically separated into two daughter cells. DNA synthesis occurs earlier, during S phase of interphase, and the mitotic spindle forms during prophase. Nuclear envelope breakdown happens in prometaphase.
In which phase of the cell cycle does DNA replication occur?
M phase
S phase
G2 phase
G1 phase
During S phase (synthesis phase) of the cell cycle, the entire genome is replicated, producing two sister chromatids for each chromosome. G1 and G2 are gap phases focused on cell growth and preparation for DNA synthesis or mitosis. M phase involves mitosis and cytokinesis rather than DNA replication.
What is the primary function of tumor suppressor genes?
Signal for metastasis
Inhibit cell division
Promote angiogenesis
Accelerate DNA replication
Tumor suppressor genes encode proteins that slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or initiate apoptosis. Loss or mutation of these genes removes key regulatory checks, contributing to cancer development. They do not promote blood vessel formation or metastasis, and they do not accelerate DNA replication.
What are oncogenes?
Genes that regulate telomere length
Genes that repair DNA
Mutated proto-oncogenes that promote cancer
Genes that trigger apoptosis
Oncogenes arise from proto-oncogenes when they become mutated or overexpressed, leading to uncontrolled growth signals in cells. They are not involved in DNA repair, apoptosis induction, or telomere regulation, although those processes impact cancer biology. Proto-oncogenes in their normal state help regulate cell growth and differentiation.
Why is p53 often called the "guardian of the genome"?
It synthesizes new DNA strands
It degrades faulty proteins
It promotes telomere elongation
It induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis after DNA damage
p53 monitors DNA integrity and, upon detecting damage, can halt the cell cycle or initiate programmed cell death, preventing propagation of mutations. It does not directly elongate telomeres or synthesize DNA, nor does it degrade proteins. Its role is critical in preventing tumor development.
What is angiogenesis in the context of tumor growth?
Spread of tumor cells to new tissues
Mutation of oncogenes
Programmed death of tumor cells
Formation of new blood vessels to supply the tumor
Angiogenesis is the process by which tumors promote growth of new blood vessels to secure oxygen and nutrients necessary for rapid growth. It differs from apoptosis, metastasis, and direct genetic mutations. Many cancer therapies aim to inhibit this vessel formation.
What does metastasis refer to?
Localized tumor growth
Cell cycle arrest
Spread of cancer cells to distant sites
DNA repair failure
Metastasis is the process by which cancer cells break away from the primary tumor, travel through blood or lymph, and form new tumors in other organs. It is distinct from local growth, cell cycle halt, or DNA repair, all of which are separate aspects of cell biology and tumor progression.
Which of the following is a known chemical carcinogen?
Glucose
Vitamin C
Benzo[a]pyrene
Chlorophyll
Benzo[a]pyrene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon found in tobacco smoke and charred foods, and it is well documented to cause DNA mutations leading to cancer. Glucose, chlorophyll, and vitamin C are not classified as carcinogens. This compound forms bulky DNA adducts if not properly metabolized.
Which epigenetic change is often observed in cancer cells?
Permanent DNA sequence deletion
Global increase in histone acetylation
Overexpression of mitochondrial genes
DNA methylation of tumor suppressor gene promoters
Hypermethylation of CpG islands in promoter regions of tumor suppressor genes silences their expression, contributing to unregulated cell growth. Histone acetylation generally promotes gene expression rather than silencing. Deletions affect DNA structure, and mitochondrial gene expression is not a primary epigenetic change in cancer.
What is the role of telomerase in cancer cells?
Maintaining telomere length to allow unlimited divisions
Initiating apoptosis in damaged cells
Repairing double-strand DNA breaks
Regulating histone modification
Telomerase adds repetitive nucleotide sequences to telomeres, preventing their shortening during cell division and enabling cancer cells to divide indefinitely. It does not directly induce apoptosis, repair double-strand breaks, or modify histones, although these processes can interact in complex ways. Reactivation of telomerase is a hallmark of many cancers.
Which protein family includes key anti-apoptotic regulators often overexpressed in cancer?
MAP kinase family
Caspase family
Bcl-2 family
Cyclin-dependent kinases
The Bcl-2 family contains both pro- and anti-apoptotic members; overexpression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins enables cancer cells to evade cell death. Caspases execute apoptosis rather than inhibit it. CDKs regulate cell cycle progression, and MAP kinases mediate signaling but are not primary anti-apoptotic factors.
Activation of the Ras oncogene most directly stimulates which signaling pathway?
PI3K-Akt pathway
JAK-STAT pathway
MAP kinase pathway
NF-?B pathway
Mutated Ras proteins remain GTP-bound and constitutively active, leading to continuous activation of the MAP kinase cascade that promotes proliferation. While Ras can interact with PI3K-Akt under some contexts, its classic and primary link is to the MAPK pathway. JAK-STAT and NF-?B are separate signaling modules.
Which chromosomal abnormality is characteristic of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)?
Philadelphia chromosome (BCR-ABL translocation)
p53 deletion
BRCA1 inversion
MYC amplification
The Philadelphia chromosome arises from a reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22, creating the BCR-ABL fusion gene with constitutive tyrosine kinase activity in CML. MYC amplification is seen in other cancers, p53 deletions occur broadly, and BRCA1 inversions are linked with breast and ovarian cancer risk.
Which cell cycle checkpoint ensures that all chromosomes are properly attached to the spindle before anaphase?
Restriction point
DNA damage checkpoint
Spindle assembly checkpoint
G2/M checkpoint
The spindle assembly checkpoint (also called the metaphase checkpoint) monitors attachment of kinetochores to the mitotic spindle and prevents progression to anaphase until all chromosomes are bi-oriented. The G2/M checkpoint responds to DNA damage before mitosis, and the restriction point in G1 commits the cell to division.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Cancer Characteristics -

    Gain clarity on which phrases best describe cancer by identifying its defining traits, such as uncontrolled cell growth and malignant transformation.

  2. Describe Cytokinesis Process -

    Learn the key steps and structural changes involved in cytokinesis, distinguishing it from other stages of cell division.

  3. Differentiate Cell Division Phases -

    Compare and contrast cytokinesis with mitosis, ensuring accurate selection of descriptions for each phase.

  4. Identify DNA Organization Terms -

    Recognize phrases that accurately depict how DNA is packaged and organized within the cell nucleus.

  5. Apply Analytical Quiz Strategies -

    Develop skills to analyze multiple-choice options critically, choosing the most precise phrase for cancer and cytokinesis questions.

  6. Reinforce Natural Science Concepts -

    Solidify your grasp of fundamental biology concepts in a fun quiz format, boosting confidence in cellular science knowledge.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Unrestricted Proliferation of Abnormal Cells -

    When asked which of the following phrases best describes cancer, focus on its hallmark: cells bypass growth controls to divide endlessly. According to the National Cancer Institute, mutations in genes like Ras drive constant passage through the G1/S checkpoint. Mnemonic: "ON switch stuck" helps recall oncogenes keep dividing cells always "on."

  2. Role of Tumor Suppressor Genes -

    Tumor suppressor genes such as p53 and Rb act as natural brakes by halting cell cycle progression to allow DNA repair or trigger apoptosis. Loss-of-function mutations in these genes, well-documented by research in Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, remove critical checkpoints at G1/S and G2/M. Think "p53 Patrol" to remember its genome-guarding role.

  3. Physical Division in Cytokinesis -

    If prompted which of the following phrases best describes cytokinesis, recall it's the physical division of cytoplasm that yields two separate daughter cells. The process, detailed in Alberts et al.'s Molecular Biology of the Cell, relies on an actin-myosin ring forming a cleavage furrow during telophase. Use "ring, furrow, split" as a quick step-tracking mnemonic.

  4. Spindle Assembly Checkpoints -

    Spindle assembly checkpoints ensure chromosomes attach correctly to spindle microtubules before anaphase onset, preventing aneuploidy common in tumors. Journal of Cell Biology studies show kinetochore proteins Mad1/Mad2 halt progression until each chromosome achieves bi-orientation at the metaphase plate. Remember "MAD: Mitotic Arrest Deficient" to link these key spindle checkpoint proteins.

  5. Apoptosis vs. Necrosis -

    Apoptosis and necrosis are distinct cell death pathways with opposing outcomes: apoptosis is programmed and non-inflammatory, whereas necrosis triggers inflammation and tissue damage. Cancer cells often overexpress Bcl-2, as outlined by the World Health Organization, to block apoptosis and avoid self-destruction. A helpful rhyme is "A for Apoptosis, arranged clean; N for Necrosis, nasty scene."

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