Cancer Biology
Big idea: This Grade 12 capstone connects oncogene, tumour suppressor, clonal evolution, angiogenesis, metastasis to evaluate complex biological systems through evidence, uncertainty, responsible inference and real-world application.
Learning goals
- oncogene
- tumour suppressor
- clonal evolution
- angiogenesis
- metastasis
Core concepts
oncogene
A gain-of-function gene variant that promotes cell growth or survival when abnormally activated.
tumour suppressor
A gene whose normal product restrains proliferation, repairs damage or promotes removal of unsafe cells.
clonal evolution
Successive selection of tumour-cell lineages carrying mutations that improve growth in a changing microenvironment.
angiogenesis
Formation of new blood vessels that can supply an expanding tumour with oxygen and nutrients.
metastasis
A multistep process in which cancer cells leave a primary tumour and establish growth at distant sites.