Distinguish between oncogenes and proto-oncogenes. In what way...

Question

Distinguish between oncogenes and proto-oncogenes. In what ways can proto-oncogenes be converted to oncogenes?

Accepted Answer

Hi everybody. Let's take a look at this practice problem together. A blank is a healthy gene that has the potential to develop into end blank through mutations or elevated expression. Now we need to determine two terms. The first is a term for a normal gene and the second is the term for the gene where the normal gene is now abnormal in some way. So let's take a look at our options. We've got a uncle gene, proto uncle jean B proto uncle gene, tumor suppressor gene, C, tumor suppressor gene, uncle gene and D. Proto uncle gene, uncle gene. So you can see that we have a total of three terms to choose from. There's uncle Gene, proto uncle gene and tumor suppressor gene. So let's go ahead and review those definitions here. We've got the definitions and we're going to start off with uncle gene first. Now Uncle Gene is a gene that has the potential to cause cancer. It's not involved in normal cell growth and it's produced when mutations occur. So it has mutations. Next we'll talk about tumor suppressor gene and this is also known as an anti uncle gene. Anti the prefix anti means opposed. So this is a gene that opposes the uncle gene. So this type of gene prevents uncle genes from occurring by regulating cell division and preventing uncontrollable cell growth and division. Our last term is proto oncogene. It's a gene involved in normal self growth. Now note the prefix proto proto means original. So this is the original uncle gene and this is the gene that is normal and activated and turns into the uncle gene. So our answer, therefore, is going to be D proto uncle gene. Uncle Gene, a proto uncle gene is a healthy gene that has the potential to develop into an uncle gene through mutations or elevated expression. So the answer is D. All right, everyone. I hope you found this helpful, and I'll see you soon for the next practice problem.

Distinguish between oncogenes and proto-oncogenes. In what ways can proto-oncogenes be converted to oncogenes?

Key Concepts

Proto-oncogenes

Oncogenes

Mechanisms of Conversion

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