Of the two classes of genes associated with cancer, tumor-suppressor genes and oncogenes, mutations in which group can be considered gain-of-function mutations? In which group are the loss-of-function mutations? Explain.

Video transcript

Hi everyone. Let's take a look at this practice problem together. The process involved in the transformation of a proto uncle gene into an uncle gene is known as well. What is a proto uncle gene recall that it's a gene involved in normal cell growth so it's normal and necessary. And an uncle gene is a gene that has the potential to cause cancer. So let's take a look at our options. We've got a metastasis and you'll also hear this word pronounced metastasis. Now we might recognize this word as describing when cancer cells spread. The prefix meta means beyond or above and stasis means equilibrium or stability. So together they mean beyond stability. Hence you get spread of cancer cells so a is incorrect. Then we've got be malignancy. Now this is a term often used to describe a disease state like a malignant tumor where cells are dividing uncontrollably. So this is also incorrect. Then we've got d uncle genesis. Now the prefix uncle means tumor and genesis means the beginning of something. So uncle genesis is the development of cancer. So D. Is also incorrect. Our answer therefore is c activation. Now the word activation means to turn on and turning on something is an action or a process. And so this is where a proto uncle gene becomes an uncle gene. So see activation is the correct answer. Alright everyone. I hope you found this helpful and I'll see you soon for the next practice problem