Final answer:
Cancer cells express different properties due to changes in gene expression. Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes play a role in promoting or inhibiting cancer cell growth. Studying gene expression patterns in cancer cells can provide insights into specific forms of cancer.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cancer cells are always evolving and express different properties because of changes in gene expression. Cells with the same DNA can become different types of cells through the expression of different genes in the DNA. In cancer, there are changes at every level of gene expression, including gene activation and gene silencing, which dramatically alter the overall activity of the cell.
Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes are affected by these changes. Oncogenes are normal or altered genes that are expressed at high levels and promote the malignant phenotype of cancer cells. Tumor suppressor genes, on the other hand, inhibit cell division, survival, or other properties of cancer cells and are often disabled by cancer-promoting genetic changes.
To understand specific forms of cancer, it is important to study the gene expression patterns in cancer cells. This can provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of the disease and potential targets for treatment.