Final answer:
The gene type that is unable to detect DNA damage when inactive and thus cannot inhibit the formation of breast or ovarian cancer cells is the p53 gene.
Step-by-step explanation:
The gene type that is unable to detect DNA damage when inactive and thus cannot inhibit the formation of breast or ovarian cancer cells is the p53 gene.
The p53 gene encodes the p53 protein, which plays a crucial role in detecting DNA damage and initiating DNA repair or apoptosis (cell death) if the damage is irreparable.
When the p53 gene is mutated, the p53 protein is unable to function properly, leading to the accumulation of DNA damage and the formation of cancer cells.
Tumor suppressor genes like p53 are essential for maintaining the normal growth and division of cells, and their mutations are commonly observed in various types of cancer, including breast and ovarian cancer.