Question 1

Mutations in which of the following genes are now known to greatly increase the risk for developing breast cancer? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A) APC 
B) CDH1 
C) CHEK2 
D) DCC 
E)  PALB2
F) PTEN 
A) APC 
B) CDH1 
C) CHEK2 
D) DCC 
E)  PALB2
F) PTEN B,C,E,F

Question 2

Which feature is associated exclusively with sporadic cancer?

Accepted Answer

A) The cause is unknown. 
B) It usually affects both bilateral organs. 
C) It occurs at the same frequency within a kindred as in the general population. 
D) It is more likely to occur in younger people with few environmental risks than in older people. 
A) The cause is unknown. 
B) It usually affects both bilateral organs. 
C) It occurs at the same frequency within a kindred as in the general population. 
D) It is more likely to occur in younger people with few environmental risks than in older people. C

Question 3

What event occurring during the latency period of carcinogenesis is most likely to contribute to cancer development?

Accepted Answer

A) Cellular apoptosis 
B) Error-free DNA repair 
C) Exposure to promoters 
D) Oncogene inactivation 
A) Cellular apoptosis 
B) Error-free DNA repair 
C) Exposure to promoters 
D) Oncogene inactivation C

Question 4

Which type of body tissue has the highest risk for cancer development?

Accepted Answer

A) Bone tissue because its absorption of radiation is cumulative 
B) Connective tissue that remains functional throughout life 
C) Brain tissue because it does not respond well to injury 
D) Any tissue that retains the ability to divide 
A) Bone tissue because its absorption of radiation is cumulative 
B) Connective tissue that remains functional throughout life 
C) Brain tissue because it does not respond well to injury 
D) Any tissue that retains the ability to divide

Question 5

Which statement about a "germline" mutation in either a cancer suppressor gene or an oncogene is accurate?

Accepted Answer

A) Cancer risk is increased only in sex hormone-sensitive tissues. 
B) The gene now has expressive potential but not penetrant potential. 
C) Cancer risk increases, but additional mutations are required for cancer development. 
D) A person inheriting such a mutation has a 100% risk for developing a specific cancer type. 
A) Cancer risk is increased only in sex hormone-sensitive tissues. 
B) The gene now has expressive potential but not penetrant potential. 
C) Cancer risk increases, but additional mutations are required for cancer development. 
D) A person inheriting such a mutation has a 100% risk for developing a specific cancer type.

Question 6

Which statement regarding general cancer development is true?

Accepted Answer

A) The risk for cancer development increases with age. 
B) Cancers usually develop in tissues that are missing a nucleus. 
C) Children of older mothers have a greater risk for cancer development. 
D) Most mutations leading to cancer development occur in structural genes. 
A) The risk for cancer development increases with age. 
B) Cancers usually develop in tissues that are missing a nucleus. 
C) Children of older mothers have a greater risk for cancer development. 
D) Most mutations leading to cancer development occur in structural genes.

Question 7

How does an MSH2 gene mutation contribute to the development of colon cancer?

Accepted Answer

A) Suppressor gene function is enhanced. 
B) DNA mutations are incorrectly repaired. 
C) Trinucleotide repeat sequences are enhanced. 
D) Drug resistance genes undergo amplification. 
A) Suppressor gene function is enhanced. 
B) DNA mutations are incorrectly repaired. 
C) Trinucleotide repeat sequences are enhanced. 
D) Drug resistance genes undergo amplification.

Question 8

A 22-year-old college student tells his nurse practitioner in the student health center that his mother died of colon cancer at age 32. He asks if this couldhave an impact on his health. What is your best response?

Accepted Answer

A) "Yes, you need to have yearly stool tests for occult blood." 
B) "Yes, it would be good for you to talk with a genetics counselor." 
C) "No, because colon cancer is considered a type of sporadic cancer." 
D) "No, your risk would only be increased if your father had the colon cancer." 
A) "Yes, you need to have yearly stool tests for occult blood." 
B) "Yes, it would be good for you to talk with a genetics counselor." 
C) "No, because colon cancer is considered a type of sporadic cancer." 
D) "No, your risk would only be increased if your father had the colon cancer."

Question 9

How does an acquired mutation in a somatic cell gene leading to cancer development affect a person's ability to pass on a predisposition for that cancer typeto hisorher children?

Accepted Answer

A) The predisposition can only be passed on if the person with the somatic cell mutation is female. 
B) The risk for predisposition is dependent upon which tissue type experienced the somatic mutation. 
C) Multiple somatic mutations are required for passing on a predisposition to cancer development. 
D) There is no risk of passing on a cancer predisposition from a somatic cell mutation. 
A) The predisposition can only be passed on if the person with the somatic cell mutation is female. 
B) The risk for predisposition is dependent upon which tissue type experienced the somatic mutation. 
C) Multiple somatic mutations are required for passing on a predisposition to cancer development. 
D) There is no risk of passing on a cancer predisposition from a somatic cell mutation.

Question 10

Which theory of carcinogenesis has the most support?

Accepted Answer

A) DNA damage, which permits overexpression of oncogenes 
B) RNA damage, which results in incomplete protein formation 
C) Autoantibodies, which attack specific "self" tissues and organs 
D) The failure of embryonic tissues to undergo normal differentiation 
A) DNA damage, which permits overexpression of oncogenes 
B) RNA damage, which results in incomplete protein formation 
C) Autoantibodies, which attack specific "self" tissues and organs 
D) The failure of embryonic tissues to undergo normal differentiation

Question 11

How is a complete carcinogen different from an incomplete carcinogen?

Accepted Answer

A) Complete carcinogens damage oncogenes, and incomplete carcinogens damage suppressor genes. 
B) Complete carcinogens damage suppressor genes, and incomplete carcinogens damage oncogenes. 
C) Incomplete carcinogens are more likely to induce sporadic cancers. 
D) Complete carcinogens are more likely to induce sporadic cancers. 
A) Complete carcinogens damage oncogenes, and incomplete carcinogens damage suppressor genes. 
B) Complete carcinogens damage suppressor genes, and incomplete carcinogens damage oncogenes. 
C) Incomplete carcinogens are more likely to induce sporadic cancers. 
D) Complete carcinogens are more likely to induce sporadic cancers.

Question 12

Which statement best describes the role of tumor suppressor genes in cancer development?

Accepted Answer

A) Tumor suppressor genes control or modify the activity of oncogenes, reducing the risk for cancer development. 
B) The presence of tumor suppressor genes increases the risk for gene damage by environmental carcinogens. 
C) Tumor suppressor genes reduce/suppress immune function, increasing the risk for cancer development. 
D) Tumor suppressor genes are a type of oncogene that is only active in germline cells and tissues. 
A) Tumor suppressor genes control or modify the activity of oncogenes, reducing the risk for cancer development. 
B) The presence of tumor suppressor genes increases the risk for gene damage by environmental carcinogens. 
C) Tumor suppressor genes reduce/suppress immune function, increasing the risk for cancer development. 
D) Tumor suppressor genes are a type of oncogene that is only active in germline cells and tissues.

Question 13

Which of the following benign tumors usually express aneuploidy?

Accepted Answer

A) Lipomas 
B) Leiomyomas 
C) Neurofibromas 
D) Neuroblastomas 
A) Lipomas 
B) Leiomyomas 
C) Neurofibromas 
D) Neuroblastomas

Question 14

By which process does "initiation" assist in cancer development?

Accepted Answer

A) Enhancing the cell division of cells damaged by a carcinogen 
B) Inflicting mutations at specific sites on the exposed cell's DNA 
C) Increasing the transformed cell's capacity for error-free DNA repair 
D) Making cancer cells appear more normal and escaping immunosurveillance 
A) Enhancing the cell division of cells damaged by a carcinogen 
B) Inflicting mutations at specific sites on the exposed cell's DNA 
C) Increasing the transformed cell's capacity for error-free DNA repair 
D) Making cancer cells appear more normal and escaping immunosurveillance

Question 15

Why are people who have poor DNA repair mechanisms at greater risk for cancer development?

Accepted Answer

A) Their cancers are usually resistant to chemotherapy. 
B) They have sustained the initial "hit" in all cells and tissues. 
C) Their somatic mutations are more likely to be permanent. 
D) They have greater exposure to environmental carcinogens. 
A) Their cancers are usually resistant to chemotherapy. 
B) They have sustained the initial "hit" in all cells and tissues. 
C) Their somatic mutations are more likely to be permanent. 
D) They have greater exposure to environmental carcinogens.

Question 16

What is the result of a mutation occurring in a suppressor gene?

Accepted Answer

A) Gain of a new function 
B) Loss of an existing function 
C) Increased "error-prone" DNA repair 
D) Increased unequal "crossing over" during meiosis I 
A) Gain of a new function 
B) Loss of an existing function 
C) Increased "error-prone" DNA repair 
D) Increased unequal "crossing over" during meiosis I

Question 17

A 40-year-old man who has a mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 45, a father who was diagnosed with smoking-related lung cancer at age 55, a 33-year-oldsister with breast cancer, and a 38-year-old sister with ovarian cancer asks if he should be concerned for his cancer risk. What is the best response?

Accepted Answer

A) "Your risk is not affected by this family history because most of the cancers arose in female sex-associated tissues." 
B) "You have two first-degree relatives and two second-degree relatives with cancer, which increases your general risk for cancer." 
C) "Your risk for breast cancer may be increased and requires more investigation; however, your risk for lung cancer is not affected by this history." 
D) "Your risk for cancer is affected by your parents' cancer development, and you should have genetic counseling on that basis; however, your sisters' cancers have no bearing on your risk." 
A) "Your risk is not affected by this family history because most of the cancers arose in female sex-associated tissues." 
B) "You have two first-degree relatives and two second-degree relatives with cancer, which increases your general risk for cancer." 
C) "Your risk for breast cancer may be increased and requires more investigation; however, your risk for lung cancer is not affected by this history." 
D) "Your risk for cancer is affected by your parents' cancer development, and you should have genetic counseling on that basis; however, your sisters' cancers have no bearing on your risk."

Question 18

How is progression different from metastasis?

Accepted Answer

A) Progression cannot occur unless the process of metastasis occurs first. 
B) Metastasis occurs in both benign and malignant cells, whereas progression is a feature that is unique to malignant cells. 
C) Metastasis is dependent on gene mutations in suppressor genes, and progression is dependent on gene mutations in oncogenes. 
D) Progression involves continual gene changes in a cancer cell that enhance its degree of malignancy, whereas metastasis is the ability of the cell to invade other tissues. 
A) Progression cannot occur unless the process of metastasis occurs first. 
B) Metastasis occurs in both benign and malignant cells, whereas progression is a feature that is unique to malignant cells. 
C) Metastasis is dependent on gene mutations in suppressor genes, and progression is dependent on gene mutations in oncogenes. 
D) Progression involves continual gene changes in a cancer cell that enhance its degree of malignancy, whereas metastasis is the ability of the cell to invade other tissues.

Question 19

Which statement regarding the biology of cancer is always true?

Accepted Answer

A) Cancer cells arise from normal cells. 
B) Testicular cancer is strongly associated with excessive masturbation. 
C) When cancer cells are exposed to air, their growth rate becomes uncontrolled. 
D) The biggest risk factor for cancer development is having a first-degree relative with cancer. 
A) Cancer cells arise from normal cells. 
B) Testicular cancer is strongly associated with excessive masturbation. 
C) When cancer cells are exposed to air, their growth rate becomes uncontrolled. 
D) The biggest risk factor for cancer development is having a first-degree relative with cancer.

Question 20

Which of these qualities is common to cancer cells?

Accepted Answer

A) Apoptosis of damaged cancer cells occurs at a high rate. 
B) Telomeres of cancer cells have pronounced shortening. 
C) Their production of cell adhesion molecules is excessive. 
D) They continue to grow even when surrounded by other cells. 
A) Apoptosis of damaged cancer cells occurs at a high rate. 
B) Telomeres of cancer cells have pronounced shortening. 
C) Their production of cell adhesion molecules is excessive. 
D) They continue to grow even when surrounded by other cells.

Mutations in which of the following genes are now known to greatly increase the risk for developing breast cancer? Select all that apply.

Which feature is associated exclusively with sporadic cancer?

What event occurring during the latency period of carcinogenesis is most likely to contribute to cancer development?

Which type of body tissue has the highest risk for cancer development?

Which statement about a "germline" mutation in either a cancer suppressor gene or an oncogene is accurate?

Which statement regarding general cancer development is true?

How does an MSH₂gene mutation contribute to the development of colon cancer?

A 22-year-old college student tells his nurse practitioner in the student health center that his mother died of colon cancer at age 32. He asks if this couldhave an impact on his health. What is your best response?

How does an acquired mutation in a somatic cell gene leading to cancer development affect a person's ability to pass on a predisposition for that cancer typeto hisorher children?

Which theory of carcinogenesis has the most support?

How is a complete carcinogen different from an incomplete carcinogen?

Which statement best describes the role of tumor suppressor genes in cancer development?

Which of the following benign tumors usually express aneuploidy?

By which process does "initiation" assist in cancer development?

Why are people who have poor DNA repair mechanisms at greater risk for cancer development?

What is the result of a mutation occurring in a suppressor gene?

How is progression different from metastasis?

Which statement regarding the biology of cancer is always true?

Which of these qualities is common to cancer cells?

DNA Structure and Function

Protein Synthesis

Genetic Influence on Cell Division, Differentiation, and Gametogenesis

Patterns of Inheritance

Epigenetic Influences on Gene Expression

Autosomal Inheritance and Disorders

Sex Chromosome and Mitochondrial Inheritance and Disorders

Family History and Pedigree Construction

Congenital Anomalies, Basic Dysmorphology, and Genetic Assessment

Enzyme and Collagen Disorders

Common Childhood-Onset Genetic Disorders

Common Adult-Onset Disorders

Cardiovascular Disorders

Genetic Contributions to Psychiatric and Behavioral Disorders

Genetic and Genomic Testing

Assessing Genomic Variation in Drug Response

Health Professionals and Genomic Care

Financial, Ethical, Legal, and Social Considerations

Genetic and Genomic Variation

Filters

Exam 14: The Genetics of Cancer

Mutations in which of the following genes are now known to greatly increase the risk for developing breast cancer? Select all that apply.

Which feature is associated exclusively with sporadic cancer?

What event occurring during the latency period of carcinogenesis is most likely to contribute to cancer development?

Which type of body tissue has the highest risk for cancer development?

Which statement about a "germline" mutation in either a cancer suppressor gene or an oncogene is accurate?

Which statement regarding general cancer development is true?

How does an MSH2 gene mutation contribute to the development of colon cancer?

A 22-year-old college student tells his nurse practitioner in the student health center that his mother died of colon cancer at age 32. He asks if this couldhave an impact on his health. What is your best response?

How does an acquired mutation in a somatic cell gene leading to cancer development affect a person's ability to pass on a predisposition for that cancer typeto hisorher children?

Which theory of carcinogenesis has the most support?

How is a complete carcinogen different from an incomplete carcinogen?

Which statement best describes the role of tumor suppressor genes in cancer development?

Which of the following benign tumors usually express aneuploidy?

By which process does "initiation" assist in cancer development?

Why are people who have poor DNA repair mechanisms at greater risk for cancer development?

What is the result of a mutation occurring in a suppressor gene?

How is progression different from metastasis?

Which statement regarding the biology of cancer is always true?

Which of these qualities is common to cancer cells?

DNA Structure and Function

Protein Synthesis

Genetic Influence on Cell Division, Differentiation, and Gametogenesis

Patterns of Inheritance

Epigenetic Influences on Gene Expression

Autosomal Inheritance and Disorders

Sex Chromosome and Mitochondrial Inheritance and Disorders

Family History and Pedigree Construction

Congenital Anomalies, Basic Dysmorphology, and Genetic Assessment

Enzyme and Collagen Disorders

Common Childhood-Onset Genetic Disorders

Common Adult-Onset Disorders

Cardiovascular Disorders

Genetic Contributions to Psychiatric and Behavioral Disorders

Genetic and Genomic Testing

Assessing Genomic Variation in Drug Response

Health Professionals and Genomic Care

Financial, Ethical, Legal, and Social Considerations

Genetic and Genomic Variation

Filters

How does an MSH₂gene mutation contribute to the development of colon cancer?