Final answer:
Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the lung divide and grow uncontrollably. Mutations in genes that control the cell cycle can disrupt the normal regulation of cell growth, leading to the development of tumors. Smoking is a common cause of lung cancer as it introduces carcinogens that can damage DNA and cause mutations in lung cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells in the lung divide and grow uncontrollably. The most common cause of lung cancer is smoking, which introduces carcinogens into the lungs. These carcinogens can damage the DNA in lung cells, leading to mutations that disrupt the normal cell cycle.
Within the cell cycle, the growth and division of cells is tightly regulated. Mutations in genes that control the cell cycle, such as tumor suppressor genes or oncogenes, can result in uncontrolled cell growth and the formation of tumors. In lung cancer, mutations in these genes can disrupt the cell cycle and promote the growth and spread of cancer cells.
For example, mutations in the tumor suppressor gene TP53 are found in many cases of lung cancer. TP53 normally helps regulate the cell cycle and prevent the growth of abnormal cells. However, mutations in TP53 can disable its tumor-suppressing function, allowing cancer cells to divide and proliferate.
Learn more about Lung cancer and its relation to the cell cycle