Final answer:
p53 is an example of a tumor suppressor gene, not an oncogene. It plays a crucial role in monitoring the integrity of the DNA and can induce cell cycle arrest or apoptosis if DNA damage is detected.
Step-by-step explanation:
The protein p53 is an example of a tumor suppressor gene, not an oncogene.
Tumor suppressor genes are responsible for inhibiting or slowing down the cell cycle and preventing the formation of tumors. p53 plays a crucial role in monitoring the integrity of the DNA and can induce cell cycle arrest or apoptosis if DNA damage is detected.