8 Questions
What is the primary cause of cancer?
Genetic changes that affect cell cycle control
What is the role of tumor-suppressor genes?
To help prevent uncontrolled cell growth
What is the result of converting a proto-oncogene to an oncogene?
Abnormal stimulation of the cell cycle
How can proto-oncogenes be converted to oncogenes?
Through movement of DNA within the genome, amplification of the proto-oncogene, or point mutations
What is the function of the p53 tumor-suppressor gene?
To prevent a cell from passing on mutations
What is the effect of mutations in the ras gene?
Production of a hyperactive Ras protein and increased cell division
What is the role of oncogenes?
To cause cancer
What is the relationship between genes involved in embryonic development and cancer?
They are the same systems involved in embryonic development and cancer
Study Notes
Cancer and Cell Cycle Control
- Cancer results from genetic changes that affect cell cycle control
- Gene regulation systems involved in embryonic development are the same ones that go wrong during cancer
Types of Genes Associated with Cancer
- Cancer can be caused by mutations in genes that regulate cell growth and division
- Tumor viruses can cause cancer in animals, including humans
Oncogenes and Proto-Oncogenes
- Oncogenes are cancer-causing genes
- Proto-oncogenes are normal cellular genes responsible for normal cell growth and division
- Conversion of a proto-oncogene to an oncogene can lead to abnormal stimulation of the cell cycle
- Proto-oncogenes can be converted to oncogenes by:
- Movement of DNA within the genome
- Amplification of a proto-oncogene
- Point mutations in the proto-oncogene or its control elements
Tumor-Suppressor Genes
- Tumor-suppressor genes help prevent uncontrolled cell growth
- Mutations that decrease protein products of tumor-suppressor genes may contribute to cancer onset
- Tumor-suppressor proteins:
- Repair damaged DNA
- Control cell adhesion
- Inhibit the cell cycle in the cell-signaling pathway
Interference with Normal Cell-Signaling Pathways
- Mutations in the ras proto-oncogene and p53 tumor-suppressor gene are common in human cancers
- Mutations in the ras gene can lead to production of a hyperactive Ras protein and increased cell division
- Suppression of the cell cycle can be important in the case of damage to a cell's DNA; p53 prevents a cell from passing on mutations
This quiz covers the relationship between genetic changes and cancer, including the role of gene regulation systems in cell cycle control and embryonic development.
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