Studies Show That Despite Causing a Significant Risk of Hereditary

question 44

Multiple Choice

Studies show that despite causing a significant risk of hereditary breast cancer, the BRCA1 gene has undergone strong positive selection. One hypothesis for this is that

• A) BRCA1 mutations prevent viruses from using human cellular machinery to replicate.
• B) mutated BRCA1 genes provided some resistance to diseases like malaria.
• C) the BRCA1 gene is on the same chromosome as the gene that controls lactose tolerance.
• D) mutations in tumor-suppressor genes are usually favored by natural selection.

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Definitions:

Stereotypical

Pertaining to a fixed, overly simplistic, and generalized belief or idea about a particular group of people or thing.

Defensive Attribution

A psychological process in which individuals attribute causes to events in a way that defends themselves from feelings of vulnerability and mortality.

Victims

Individuals who have suffered harm or injury as a result of an action or event.

Misfortune

An instance of bad luck or an unfortunate condition or event affecting someone's life or circumstances.