Chapter 14, Problem 18STP

Summary Introduction

To analyze:

How could oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes play a part in the development of breast cancer.

Introduction:

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the cells of breasts. In females, it can occur and rarely in males. In this, the breasts cells grow out of control. It can be in different parts of the breasts. The genes capable of causing cancer are known as oncogenes. The tumor suppressor genes are those genes which can stop the growth of a tumor by slowing cell division and repairing DNA mutations.

Explanation of Solution

Oncogenes are the genes that contain the instructions for controlling when the cells will grow, divide and die. These genes promote cell division. Whereas tumor suppressor genes are the genes that slow down the process of cell division. Cancers can be caused by the mutations in DNA which can turn the oncogenes ON and can turn OFF the tumor suppressor genes. BRCA genes are breast cancer genes. BRCA1 AND BRCA2 are the two types of this BRCA gene that can cause breast cancer when their function or their role is suppressed as these are the tumor suppressor genes. The mutations in these genes lead to no suppression of the abnormal growth of the breast cells and hence the chances of developing breast cancer are increased.

Conclusion

Therefore, when oncogenes are turned on and tumor suppressor genes are turned on then there is a high risk of developing cancer.