Microscopy image baseline
Tue, Nov 17, 2026 · Week 13 · Genetics of Disease (Medical Interventions)
Today's goal: Use cell and tissue images to establish a baseline for normal versus abnormal morphology and a diagnostic workflow.
What a finished product looks like
This is a model of the work you should turn in today. Use it to check your own: match the structure and the level of detail, do not copy it. Your data and wording should be your own.
Morphology comparison (benign vs. malignant):
- Cell size and shape: benign cells are uniform and look alike; malignant cells are pleomorphic, meaning they vary in size and shape.
- Tissue arrangement: benign tissue keeps an orderly, organized structure; malignant tissue is disorganized and loses normal architecture.
- Boundaries: a benign tumor stays in one place with a clear edge; a malignant tumor pushes into and invades the surrounding tissue.
Metastasis (one line): The metastasis image differs from a local tumor because cancer cells have left the original site and traveled through blood or lymph to a distant organ, instead of staying put.
Diagnostic workflow (three steps):
1. Take a tissue sample (biopsy) and prepare it on a slide.
2. Examine the cells under the microscope for size, shape, and arrangement.
3. Classify the tumor as normal, benign, or malignant, and note any sign of invasion or spread.
| Feature | Benign tissue | Malignant tissue |
|---|---|---|
| Cell size and shape | Uniform, alike | Pleomorphic, varied |
| Arrangement | Orderly architecture | Disorganized |
| Boundary | Stays local, clear edge | Invades surrounding tissue |
Also due today: Submit your morphology comparison and workflow sketch to the course shell before end of block.
WebXam problem for today's skill
One exam-style question that uses exactly what you practiced today. Try it before you reveal the answer, then read why each choice is right or wrong.
Tap an answer to see the full explanation. Nothing is recorded or graded.