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 7

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

insert step 1: Understand the concept of a tumor and how it forms. A tumor is a mass of cells that grow uncontrollably, and it can arise from a single mutated cell.

insert step 2: Recognize that a single cell can acquire mutations that lead to uncontrolled cell division. This is often due to mutations in genes that regulate the cell cycle, such as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes.

insert step 3: Consider the process of clonal expansion. When a single mutated cell divides, it can give rise to a population of cells that all carry the same initial mutation.

insert step 4: Acknowledge that as the tumor grows, additional mutations can occur in different cells within the tumor. This leads to genetic diversity among the tumor cells.

insert step 5: Conclude that while a tumor can originate from a single mutated cell, not all cells in a tumor are identical due to subsequent mutations and genetic variations that occur during tumor progression.

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Key Concepts

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

Mutation and Tumorigenesis

Tumorigenesis begins with mutations in the DNA of a single cell, which can lead to uncontrolled cell division. These mutations may affect genes that regulate cell growth and division, such as oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. A single mutated cell can proliferate, giving rise to a tumor, illustrating the importance of genetic changes in cancer development.

Clonal Expansion

Once a cell undergoes a mutation that promotes its growth, it can replicate, leading to clonal expansion. This means that all descendant cells from the original mutated cell will share the same genetic mutation, making them genetically identical. However, as the tumor grows, additional mutations can occur, leading to genetic diversity within the tumor.

Tumor Heterogeneity

Tumor heterogeneity refers to the presence of different genetic and phenotypic variations within a tumor. While a tumor may originate from a single mutated cell, subsequent mutations and environmental factors can create a diverse population of cells. This heterogeneity can complicate treatment, as different cells may respond differently to therapies.