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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2:29 minutes

Problem C.6b

Textbook Question

Radiation is frequently used as part of the treatment of cancer. The radiation works by damaging DNA and components of the cell. Is there a risk of damage to noncancer cells?

Verified step by step guidance

Understand that radiation therapy targets rapidly dividing cancer cells by damaging their DNA, which prevents them from replicating and surviving.

Recognize that noncancerous (normal) cells in the vicinity of the treatment area can also be exposed to radiation, as the radiation is not perfectly selective.

Consider that DNA damage in noncancer cells can lead to cell death or mutations, which may cause side effects or long-term risks such as secondary cancers.

Explore the concept of differential sensitivity, where some normal cells may be more resistant or able to repair DNA damage better than cancer cells, influencing the extent of risk.

Conclude that while radiation therapy aims to minimize harm to normal cells, there is an inherent risk of damage to noncancer cells due to the nature of radiation exposure.

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Key Concepts

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

Mechanism of Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to damage the DNA of cancer cells, preventing their replication and leading to cell death. It targets rapidly dividing cells but can also affect other cells in the treatment area.

DNA Damage and Repair

Radiation causes breaks and mutations in DNA strands. While cancer cells often have impaired repair mechanisms, normal cells can sometimes repair this damage, but excessive damage may lead to cell death or mutations.

Effects on Noncancerous Cells

Noncancerous cells near the radiation site can also be damaged because radiation is not perfectly selective. This can cause side effects and risks, as healthy tissue may be harmed during treatment.

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following proteins is an example of a tumor suppressor?

How can mutations in non-coding segments of DNA contribute to the development of cancers?

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Textbook Question

Radiation is frequently used as part of the treatment of cancer. The radiation works by damaging DNA and components of the cell. Under what circumstances do you think radiation treatment is a good choice to treat cancer?

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Textbook Question

Radiation is frequently used as part of the treatment of cancer. The radiation works by damaging DNA and components of the cell. How can radiation treatment control or cure cancer?

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Textbook Question

Why do most cancers require the mutation of multiple genes?

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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?

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Textbook Question

The inheritance of certain mutations of BRCA1 can make it much more likely that a woman will develop breast or ovarian cancer in her lifetime. Can you say with certainty that a woman inheriting a mutation of BRCA1 will definitely develop breast or ovarian cancer in her lifetime? Why or why not?

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Textbook Question

The inheritance of certain mutations of BRCA1 can make it much more likely that a woman will develop breast or ovarian cancer in her lifetime. In addition to inheriting a BRCA1 mutation, what else must happen for a woman to develop breast or ovarian cancer?

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