Final answer:
Proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes are genes that normally control cell proliferation or activate the apoptotic pathway. Mutations in these genes can contribute to cancer progression.
Step-by-step explanation:
Proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes are genes that normally control cell proliferation or activate the apoptotic pathway. Proto-oncogenes are normal genes that regulate cell division by controlling the cell cycle. If these genes are mutated, they can become oncogenes, leading to uncontrolled cell division.
Tumor suppressor genes, on the other hand, inhibit cell division and promote cell death. Mutations in these genes can disable their normal function, contributing to cancer progression.