Question

If the DNA of the cell is damaged, a protein called p53 stops the cell cycle. Mutation in the gene for p53 could cause cancer to develop. Explain how.

a) Mutated p53 may prevent DNA repair, leading to the accumulation of DNA damage and uncontrolled cell division.
b) Mutated p53 promotes apoptosis, preventing cancer development.
c) Mutated p53 enhances cell cycle regulation, preventing cancer development.
d) Mutated p53 reduces the cell's ability to divide, preventing cancer development.

Answer 1

Mutations in the p53 gene can cause cancer to develop by preventing DNA repair and leading to uncontrolled cell division.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mutations in the p53 gene can cause cancer to develop because a mutated p53 protein may prevent DNA repair, leading to the accumulation of DNA damage and uncontrolled cell division. Normally, p53 proteins monitor DNA for damage and trigger repair mechanisms or destroy the cells if necessary. However, mutations in the p53 gene can result in abnormal p53 proteins that fail to stop cell division even when the cell's DNA is damaged. This can lead to an increased number of mutations and abnormal daughter cells, eventually resulting in the development of cancer.