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
- Genetic Cloning
  9m
- Methods for Analyzing DNA
  9m
19. Cancer Genetics29m
- Overview of Cancer
  21m
- Cancer Mutations
  7m
20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
21. Population Genetics50m
- Hardy Weinberg
  19m
- Allelic Frequency Changes
  31m
22. Evolutionary Genetics29m

19. Cancer Genetics

Cancer Mutations

Genetics

19. Cancer Genetics

Cancer Mutations

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3:17 minutes

Problem C.7c

Textbook Question

Based on what you read in this chapter, Can a tumor arise from a single mutated cell? Are all the cells in a tumor identical?

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of tumorigenesis: Tumors often originate from a single cell that has undergone mutations leading to uncontrolled cell division. This mutated cell proliferates, giving rise to a mass of cells.

Recognize that the initial mutation in one cell can cause it to divide abnormally, forming a clonal population of cells derived from that original mutated cell.

Consider that as the tumor grows, additional mutations can occur in different cells within the tumor, leading to genetic diversity among the tumor cells.

Therefore, not all cells in a tumor are identical; they can have different mutations and characteristics due to ongoing genetic changes during tumor progression.

Summarize that a tumor can indeed arise from a single mutated cell, but the cells within the tumor are typically heterogeneous because of subsequent mutations and selection.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Clonal Origin of Tumors

Tumors often arise from a single mutated cell that undergoes uncontrolled division, leading to a mass of cells with a common ancestor. This concept explains how one initial genetic alteration can initiate tumor formation.

Genetic Heterogeneity in Tumors

Although tumors may start from one cell, subsequent mutations during cell division create genetic diversity among tumor cells. This heterogeneity affects tumor behavior, treatment response, and progression.

Mutation and Cell Proliferation

Mutations in genes regulating cell growth and division can cause cells to proliferate abnormally. Understanding how mutations disrupt normal cell cycle control is key to explaining tumor development and diversity.

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