Cancer Genetics

Question 1

What is cancer

Answer 1

A condition where cells in a specific part of the body grow and divide uncontrollably
- it can spread to other parts of the body = metastasis

Question 2

What is acquired mutations

Answer 2

They arise during an individual’s lifetime due to environmental impacts / age - spontaneous cancer

Question 3

What is germline mutations

Answer 3

Inherited mutations from either the sperm of egg - hereditary caner

Question 4

What % of cancers are spontaneous

Answer 4

90-95%

Question 5

What are oncogenes

Answer 5

Mutated genes that have the potential to cause cancer

Question 6

What are tumour suppressor genes

Answer 6

Normally limits how much a cell can grow

Question 7

When can cancer occur in relation to oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes

Answer 7

When oncogenes are activated
Or
When tumour suppressor genes are inactivated

Question 8

Do oncogene mutations tend to be dominant or recessive

Answer 8

Dominant acting

Question 9

Do tumour suppressor genes tend to be dominant or recessive acting

Answer 9

Recessive acting