Under Normal Circumstances, Several Important Types of Genes Control the Activities

question 44

Essay

Under normal circumstances, several important types of genes control the activities of cells. Some of these genes (proto-oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and mutator genes) have critical roles in regulating cell growth and division, as well as repair of DNA during replication. Despite their important roles, mutations to any one of these genes alone do not induce a cancerous condition. Explain why.

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Definitions:

Supercoiling

The over- or under-winding of DNA's double helix, affecting its access for replication, transcription, and repair processes.

Sugar-Phosphate Bonds

Covalent bonds that connect sugar and phosphate molecules, forming the backbone of nucleic acid structures like DNA and RNA.

Okazaki Fragments

Short sequences of DNA nucleotides synthesized discontinuously and later linked together to form the lagging strand during DNA replication.

Heavy Nitrogen (15N)

A stable isotope of nitrogen, used in scientific studies to trace nitrogen pathways and cycles in the environment or organisms.