Open Question
How can mutations in non-coding segments of DNA contribute to the development of cancers?
19. Cancer Genetics
Cancer Mutations
Back19. Cancer Genetics
Cancer Mutations
- Open QuestionRadiation is frequently used as part of the treatment of cancer. The radiation works by damaging DNA and components of the cell.How can radiation treatment control or cure cancer?
- Open QuestionRadiation is frequently used as part of the treatment of cancer. The radiation works by damaging DNA and components of the cell.Is there a risk of damage to noncancer cells?
- Open QuestionBased on what you read in this chapter,Why do most cancers require the mutation of multiple genes?
- Open QuestionBased on what you read in this chapter,Can a tumor arise from a single mutated cell? Are all the cells in a tumor identical?
- Open QuestionThe inheritance of certain mutations of BRCA1 can make it much more likely that a woman will develop breast or ovarian cancer in her lifetime.Can you say with certainty that a woman inheriting a mutation of BRCA1 will definitely develop breast or ovarian cancer in her lifetime? Why or why not?
- Open QuestionThe inheritance of certain mutations of BRCA1 can make it much more likely that a woman will develop breast or ovarian cancer in her lifetime.In addition to inheriting a BRCA1 mutation, what else must happen for a woman to develop breast or ovarian cancer?
- Open QuestionGo to the website http://www.cancer.gov and select 'Cancer Types' on the top menu bar. Scroll down to 'Breast Cancer' and click. Select 'Cases & Prevention' from the options. Click 'More information' and select 'BRCA Mutations: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing'. Use the information on this page to answer the following questions.Are there measures a woman with a positive result can take to lessen her chances of developing cancer or to catch a cancer early in its development?
- Open Question
Define tumor-suppressor genes. Why is a mutated single copy of a tumor-suppressor gene expected to behave as a recessive gene?
- Open QuestionGo to the website http://www.cancer.gov and select 'Cancer Types' on the top menu bar. Scroll down to 'Breast Cancer' and click. Select 'Cases & Prevention' from the options. Click 'More information' and select 'BRCA Mutations: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing'. Use the information on this page to answer the following questions.With regard to the results of genetic testing for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, what is meant by a 'positive result'?
- Open QuestionGo to the website http://www.cancer.gov and select 'Cancer Types' on the top menu bar. Scroll down to 'Breast Cancer' and click. Select 'Cases & Prevention' from the options. Click 'More information' and select 'BRCA Mutations: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing'. Use the information on this page to answer the following questions.What are the approximate percentage increases in risk of having breast cancer and of having ovarian cancer for women inheriting harmful mutations of BRCA1 and BRCA2 compared with the risks in the general population?
- Open QuestionGo to the website http://www.cancer.gov and select 'Cancer Types' on the top menu bar. Scroll down to 'Breast Cancer' and click. Select 'Cases & Prevention' from the options. Click 'More information' and select 'BRCA Mutations: Cancer Risk and Genetic Testing'. Use the information on this page to answer the following questions.What features of family history increase the likelihood that a woman will have a harmful mutation of BRCA1 or BRCA2?
- Open Question
Describe the steps by which the TP53 gene responds to DNA damage and/or cellular stress to promote cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. Given that TP53 is a recessive gene and is not located on the X chromosome, why would people who inherit just one mutant copy of a recessive tumor-suppressor gene be at higher risk of developing cancer than those without the recessive gene?
- Open Question
Part of the Ras protein is associated with the plasma membrane, and part extends into the cytoplasm. How does the Ras protein transmit a signal from outside the cell into the cytoplasm? What happens in cases where the ras gene is mutated?
- Open Question
Distinguish between oncogenes and proto-oncogenes. In what ways can proto-oncogenes be converted to oncogenes?