Asked by Andrea Talley on Jun 19, 2024
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Explain National Geographic Explorer Iain Couzin's concept of the parallels between cancer cell migration and animal swarms.
Cancer Cell Migration
The process by which cancer cells move from the original tumor site to invade surrounding tissue or spread to distant parts of the body.
Animal Swarms
Groups of animals moving together in a coordinated manner, often seen in species such as birds, fish, and insects.
Iain Couzin
A renowned researcher known for his work in the fields of collective behavior and biological systems, particularly in how animals coordinate their movements.
- Describe the critical role of the phases of the cell cycle in the proliferation and growth of cells.
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AS
aakash sharmaJun 26, 2024
Final Answer :
As animals do in swarms, metastatic cells collectively sense the environment and change their behavior in response to it. For example, some brain tumors send out tendrils into surrounding tissue. Couzin compares the tendrils to exploratory ant trails, and thinks they involve a division of labor not unlike that of ants: A few modified cells determine an accommodating path, and others follow. A marching column of cancer cells may be more effective at invading healthy tissue than individual cells.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the critical role of the phases of the cell cycle in the proliferation and growth of cells.