Question

All epithelial cells in the inner lining of the large intestine that are heterozygous for an APC mutation ​can partially escape control of the cell cycle and lead to the formation of clusters of polyps. Polyps are a cluster of cells that are often harmless. Which of the following is true about the APC gene?"

a) APC is a tumor suppressor gene
b) APC is an oncogene
c) APC is involved in promoting cell cycle progression
d) APC is not associated with cell cycle regulation

Answer 1

The APC gene is a tumor suppressor gene involved in regulating the cell cycle and preventing the formation of tumors. Heterozygous epithelial cells with an APC mutation can partially escape control of the cell cycle and lead to the formation of clusters of polyps in the large intestine.

Step-by-step explanation:

The APC gene, or adenomatous polyposis coli gene, is a tumor suppressor gene. Tumor suppressor genes help regulate the cell cycle and prevent the formation of tumors. In the case of the large intestine, heterozygous epithelial cells with an APC mutation can partially escape cell cycle control, leading to the formation of clusters of polyps.

Polyps are clusters of cells that are often harmless but can be a precursor to cancer if left untreated. Therefore, understanding and studying tumor suppressor genes like APC is important for cancer research and prevention.

The APC gene is a tumor suppressor gene. As a tumor suppressor, it functions similarly to brakes in a vehicle, preventing uncontrolled cellular growth. When the APC gene is mutated and becomes nonfunctional, it can no longer regulate the cell cycle effectively, leading to increased risk of aberrant cell division and the formation of polyps, which may be precursors to cancer. This mutation aligns the APC gene with the characteristic behavior of tumor suppressors when they are defective.