Final answer:
The p53 gene in biology plays a critical role in restraining growth and preventing tumor formation. Mutated p53 genes are frequently found in human tumor cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject of this question is Biology. The question is asking about the role of the p53 gene in restraining growth and preventing tumor formation.
When the p53 gene is functioning normally, it can stop the cell cycle to allow for DNA repair or induce apoptosis in damaged cells. However, when the p53 gene is mutated, it fails to stop cells from growing and dividing, which can lead to the development of cancer.
Research has shown that mutated p53 genes have been found in more than half of all human tumor cells, highlighting the crucial role of p53 in tumor suppression.