Radiation And Chemotherapy

Front 1

Radiation therapy

Back 1

Will destroy cell membranes.

When the cell membranes are destroyed, the cell will die.

Radiation therapy affects not only cancerous cells but also all nearby cells.

Front 2

Chemotherapy

Back 2

Some chemotherapy drugs will inhibit the normal function of spindle fibers.

Therefore, cells cannot proceed through metaphase or anaphase and will therefore die.

Front 3

Most cells in the body are _______

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quiescent (dormant or inactive)

These cells are not involved in cell reproduction and therefore, are not actively undergoing metaphase or anaphase where spindle fibers are functioning.

These cells generally are not affected by chemotherapy treatment.

Front 4

Examples of quiescent cells:

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Brain cells (nerve cells lack centrioles and cannot form spindle fibers)

Muscle cells

Front 5

Labile cells

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actively undergoing cell reproduction.

Therefore, these cells are heavily involved in spindle fiber activity.

Upon exposure to chemotherapy, the labile cells will die in the same manner as cancer cells.

Front 6

Examples of labile cells:

Back 6

Hair follicle cells - hence, hair loss during chemotherapy treatment

Leukocytes- hence, prone to infections during chemotherapy treatment

Front 7

Chemotherapy function in two major manners:

Back 7

1. inhibits spindle fiber activity

2. Enhances p53 activity in the healthy cells