Final answer:
Cancer-causing genes are called oncogenes, which arise from mutations in proto-oncogenes, the normal genes responsible for positive regulation of the cell cycle. Tumor suppressor genes, which inhibit cell division and prevent cancer, can also be mutated, contributing to cancer development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question of what cancer-causing genes are called is oncogenes. These are types of genes that, when mutated, have the potential to cause normal cells to turn into cancerous cells. Proto-oncogenes are the normal versions of these genes that code for proteins responsible for regulating cell growth and division. When proto-oncogenes are mutated, they can become oncogenes, which can contribute to uncontrolled cell proliferation characteristic of cancer.
Tumor suppressor genes are another category of genes involved in the control of the cell cycle. They act as a safeguard against cancer by inhibiting cell division and promoting cell death when necessary to prevent cancerous growth. When these genes are mutated or inactivated, they can no longer perform their protective function, which can lead to the development of cancer. Human papillomavirus (HPV), for example, can cause cervical cancer through the production of E6, a protein that inactivates p53, a crucial tumor suppressor protein. This is an example of how external factors can interfere with the function of tumor suppressor genes and contribute to the onset of cancer.