Question

Cancer results when a mutation leads to which of the following?

a) Overproduction of cytokines
b) Uncontrolled cell division
c) Antibody deficiency
d) Impaired phagocytosis

Answer 1

Cancer is caused by mutations that lead to uncontrolled cell division, often due to malfunctioning regulatory proteins like p53.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cancer results when a mutation leads to uncontrolled cell division. This occurs due to changes in the DNA sequence of genes that regulate the cell cycle. When these regulatory genes are mutated, they can lead to the production of proteins that do not function as they should, such as the p53 protein.

Mutations in the p53 gene result in a failure to monitor and repair DNA damage or to trigger apoptosis, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation and tumor formation. Environmental factors, such as exposure to carcinogens like chemicals or radiation, can also cause DNA damage and contribute to cancer development.