Cells, Cancer, Mitosis, And Meiosis

Cells And Cancer And Mitosis And Meiosis

Briefly summarize the podcast you have selected then discuss whether or not you believe that dieting can reverse cancer or if dieting impacts your risk of cancer. Justify your response. Name two (2) similarities and two (2) differences between mitosis and meiosis I and II. Next state three (3) benefits of genetic variation which result from meiosis. Which benefit do you believe is most significant? Justify your response. Read the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology article entitled, “Mitosis at a Glance” which is found here. Next summarize three (3) major points made in the article then define the term cancer in your own words. Lastly, describe what occurs when there are problems during mitosis then provide an example of a disease that results from abnormal mitosis.

Paper For Above instruction

The chosen podcast for this discussion is the NPR Podcast titled “Can healthy eating reverse some cancers?” This podcast explores the potential relationship between diet and cancer, emphasizing that certain dietary patterns, such as increased consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, may support the immune system and potentially help in preventing or managing some types of cancer. The host interviews experts who highlight that while a healthy diet alone cannot cure existing cancer, it can influence overall health, reduce risk factors, and improve treatment outcomes. The podcast suggests that diet impacts cancer risk by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and supporting metabolic health—factors associated with carcinogenesis.

From this, I believe that dieting has a significant impact on cancer risk but is unlikely to reverse established cancer entirely. While a nutritious diet may support the body's defenses and potentially slow disease progression, it should be considered an adjunct to medical treatment rather than a standalone cure. Evidence shows that certain lifestyle choices, including diet, can reduce the risk of some cancers—such as colon, breast, and stomach cancers—by influencing inflammation and hormonal levels (World Cancer Research Fund, 2018). However, once cancer has developed, more aggressive treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation are typically necessary. Therefore, dietary modifications contribute to overall cancer prevention but are insufficient on their own to reverse the disease once it manifests.

Mitosis and meiosis are processes of cell division with important similarities and differences. Two similarities are that both processes involve DNA replication prior to division, and both stages include phases of prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Two differences include: mitosis results in two genetically identical diploid daughter cells, whereas meiosis results in four genetically diverse haploid cells; and meiosis involves two rounds of division—meiosis I and meiosis II—while mitosis involves only one.

The benefits of genetic variation resulting from meiosis are primarily increased adaptability, enhanced survival potential, and reduced risk of genetic disorders. Greater genetic diversity allows populations to better adapt to environmental changes, resist diseases, and avoid the accumulation of harmful mutations over generations. The most significant benefit, in my opinion, is increased adaptability, as it provides species with the resilience necessary for long-term survival amid environmental pressures and pathogen challenges (Li et al., 2020).

The article “Mitosis at a Glance” discusses three major points: first, mitosis is a tightly regulated process essential for growth, tissue repair, and asexual reproduction; second, errors during mitosis, such as chromosome missegregation, can lead to aneuploidy; and third, mitotic checkpoints ensure proper chromosome separation to prevent genetic imbalance. In my own words, cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth and division, often resulting from genetic mutations that disrupt normal cellular regulation. When problems occur during mitosis, such as chromosome missegregation, it can lead to cells with abnormal numbers of chromosomes or genetic mutations, which may contribute to cancer development. An example of a disease resulting from abnormal mitosis is Down syndrome, caused by nondisjunction leading to an extra copy of chromosome 21.

References

• Li, X., Su, Y., Han, X., & Wang, Z. (2020). Genetic diversity and its role in plant adaptation and evolution. Frontiers in Plant Science, 11, 604. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.00604
• World Cancer Research Fund. (2018). Diet, nutrition, physical activity, and cancer: a global perspective. Wcrf.org. https://www.wcrf.org/dietandcancer
• Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. (Year). Mitosis at a Glance. [Journal article].
• Additional scholarly articles and reputable sources discussing cell division, cancer, and genetic variation.