Final answer:
The disruption of DNA replication leads to gene mutations associated with cancer development. Errors in the DNA replication process can lead to mutations affecting critical genes like oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, such as p53, a vital gene in regulating cell growth and division.
Step-by-step explanation:
The disruption of DNA replication leads to gene mutations that can result in cancer. When DNA replication is faulty, errors can occur within the genetic code, which can lead to the formation of mutations. These mutations can affect genes regulating cell growth and division, including oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. An example of a critical tumor suppressor gene is p53, which, when mutated, significantly alters transcriptional activities of its target genes, potentially leading to cancer.
Mutations that arise during DNA replication can lead to various types of changes in DNA. These changes include single nucleotide changes, nonsense mutations that can halt replication or reading of the DNA strand or insertion, and deletion mutations causing a frame shift that results in the production of non-functional proteins.