Question

Describe the genetic mutations that you think occurred in the cancer cells that were responsible for the phenotypic differences between the normal and cancercells you observed. The normal cells were organized, normal shape, and the cancerous cells were all over the place stacked together, multiple nuclei in one cell for some and a lot of them in on area. I think the genetic mutation that occurred would be with the gene that affects cell division and the tumor suppressor gene.

Answer 1

Most types of cancer are believed to begin with a random genetic mutation. This is followed by mutations, which endow the cancer cells with properties allowing them to grow without normal controls to become a tumor.

Mutation is any change in the DNA sequence of a cell. Mutations may be caused by mistakes during cell division, or they may be caused by exposure to DNA-damaging agents in the environment.

Genetic Mutations that lead to cancer cell formation can occur in two forms:

1. GROWTH-PROMOTING GENES are commonly mutated in cancer cells, becoming SUPER-ACTIVE and producing cells that are too strongly stimulated by growth receptors.

2. Mutations can INACTIVATE the genes that suppress cell proliferation or those that signal the need for apoptosis. These genes are known as TUMOR SUPPRESSOR GENES.