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Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements is/are correct with regard to individuals with the disorder xeroderma pigmentosum?
A
These individuals are extremely sensitive to sunlight.
B
These individuals have high rates of skin cancer.
C
These individuals usually have inherited defects in the nucleotide excision repair system.
D
Cells in these individuals have difficulty repairing thymine dimers.
E
All of the listed responses are correct.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the disorder: Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a genetic disorder characterized by extreme sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight. This is due to defects in the DNA repair system, specifically the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway.
Analyze the first statement: Individuals with XP are extremely sensitive to sunlight. This is correct because their cells cannot effectively repair damage caused by UV light, leading to severe sunburns and skin damage.
Evaluate the second statement: Individuals with XP have high rates of skin cancer. This is true because the inability to repair UV-induced DNA damage increases the risk of mutations, leading to a higher incidence of skin cancer.
Consider the third statement: Individuals with XP usually have inherited defects in the nucleotide excision repair system. This is accurate as XP is caused by mutations in genes responsible for the NER pathway, which repairs DNA damage.
Assess the fourth statement: Cells in individuals with XP have difficulty repairing thymine dimers. This is correct because thymine dimers, caused by UV light, are typically repaired by the NER system, which is defective in XP patients.