Question

utations that alter growth factors, their receptors, or intracellular signaling pathway molecules, or affect regulation of the cell cycle, can lead to cancer in somatic cells. therefore, genetic mutation is the mechanism involved in the beginning of tumor growth. what are several mechanisms that can result in these cancer-causing mutations?

Answer 1

Cancer in somatic cells is caused by mutations in genes that regulate the cell cycle, including activation of proto-oncogenes, deactivation of tumor suppressor genes, and mutations that impair DNA repair mechanisms. Multiple mutations typically are required for the development of cancer, leading to uncontrolled cell growth.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cancer-causing mutations primarily occur in genes that control the cell cycle and may involve growth factors, their receptors, signal pathway molecules, or the regulation of the cell cycle itself. These mutations can lead to the transformation of normal cells into cancer cells through processes such as:

• Activation of proto-oncogenes into oncogenes, resulting in uncontrolled cell division.
• Deactivation of tumor suppressor genes, which normally inhibit cell division, allowing for unchecked growth.
• Mutations in DNA repair genes, leading to accumulation of uncorrected DNA damage.

Mutations can occur in various ways, from the mutation of a single DNA nucleotide to the loss or gain of entire chromosomes. A series of several mutations, rather than a single mutation, is typically required for a cell to become cancerous. These mutations may result in faulty proteins and cellular mechanisms, which in turn contribute to the malignant transformation.