Question

Consider a spontaneous mutation in the gene HER2, a tumor suppressor involved in cell cycle control Mutations happen at a rate of about 1 error per 109 bases per generation. A spontaneous deleterious mutation must occur in HER2 specifically, and not in another gene. The likelihood that a spontaneous mutation is deleterious and could lead to cancer depends on the number of mutable bases in HER2, the fraction of bases that will affect the function of HER2, and that both HER2 alleles are mutated. A single cell will likely require mutations in both alleles of cancer-associated genes such as HER2 as well as a few other genes to cause the spontaneous cellular growth that leads to a tumor. Therefore, the likelihood of developing cancer from a spontaneous mutation also depends on the total number of cells in the body and the number of times each cell has replicated. Each cellular replication is another chance for a single spontaneous mutation to occur. Considering these factors, the likelihood of developing cancer from a spontaneous mutation should be extremely small Select the statements that best explain why cancer in general is still prevalent among humans, despite the extremely small probability of developing cancer from a spontaneous mutation An increased risk of developing cancer can run in families. For example, colon and endometrial cancers are included in hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer or Lynch syndrome, which can run in families 「 No cure has been found for any type of cancer, including those caused by HER2, and current treatments, such as radiation or chemotherapy, are largely ineffective ncer is a complex disease that affects many tissues, and many of the mechanisms that cause these cancers are still unknown. Environmental factors, such as exposure to high levels of radiation, which causes deleterious mutations and rampant cell growth, contribute to an increased risk of mutation above the background error rate

Answer 1

Answer) The reasons why cancer, in general, is still prevalent among humans, despite the extremely small probability of developing cancer from a spontaneous mutation.

a) An increased risk of developing cancer can run in families. For example, colon and endometrial cancers are included in hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer or Lynch syndrome, which can run in families.

c) Cancer is a complex disease that affects many tissues, and many of the mechanisms that cause these cancers are still unknown.

d)Environmental factors, such as exposure to high levels of radiation, which causes deleterious mutations and rampant cell growth, contribute to an increased risk of mutation above the background error rate.

Reason: While, all the other points are correct, point b is not correct because there are certain ways to treat and even cure has been found for some type of cancer, including those caused by HER2, and current treatments, such as radiation or chemotherapy, are actually effective.