Explain the apparent paradox that both hypermethylation and hypomethylation of DNA are often found in the same cancer cell.
Table of contents
- 1. Introduction to Genetics51m
- 2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
- 3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
- 4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
- 5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
- 6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
- 7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
- 8. DNA Replication1h 10m
- 9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
- 10. Transcription1h 0m
- 11. Translation58m
- 12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
- 13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
- 14. Genetic Control of Development44m
- 15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
- 16. Transposable Elements47m
- 17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
- 18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- 19. Cancer Genetics29m
- 20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
- 21. Population Genetics50m
- 22. Evolutionary Genetics29m
19. Cancer Genetics
Overview of Cancer
Struggling with Genetics?
Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
How does cancer differ from most other genetic disorders?
A
Cancer is always inherited from parents, while most other genetic disorders are acquired during a person's lifetime.
B
Cancer is caused by viral infections, whereas most other genetic disorders are caused by environmental factors.
C
Cancer is typically caused by the accumulation of multiple somatic mutations over time, whereas most other genetic disorders are caused by inherited germline mutations.
D
Cancer only affects the reproductive cells, while most other genetic disorders affect somatic cells.

1
Understand the difference between somatic mutations and germline mutations: Somatic mutations occur in non-reproductive cells and are acquired during a person's lifetime, while germline mutations are inherited from parents and present in reproductive cells.
Recognize that cancer is generally caused by the accumulation of multiple somatic mutations in a single cell lineage, which leads to uncontrolled cell growth and tumor formation.
Contrast this with most other genetic disorders, which are typically caused by inherited germline mutations that are present in every cell of the body from birth.
Note that cancer is not usually inherited directly but results from mutations acquired over time, whereas many genetic disorders are passed down through families via germline mutations.
Summarize that the key difference lies in the origin of the mutations: cancer arises from somatic mutations accumulated during life, while most genetic disorders stem from inherited germline mutations.
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Overview of Cancer practice set
