Use the Following to Answer Questions

question 30

Multiple Choice

Use the following to answer questions
A new form of kidney cancer was identified in a family in which many of the family members were affected. This family's pedigree is shown below.
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-Upon genetic analysis of the cancerous tissue, a mutated form of a gene, named the kid gene, was discovered in all affected individuals but not in the unaffected individuals. Because so many members of the family are affected, the female (age 60) , indicated with a "*", is concerned that although she has not developed the disease yet she still may develop the cancer later in life. What would a genetic counselor tell her?

• A) All members of the family carry one mutant version of the kid gene, but those with cancer gained a second mutation of the kid gene. Therefore, it is highly likely that she will develop the kidney cancer.
• B) While it is unlikely that she will develop the form of kidney cancer seen in her family, the mutant form of the kid gene she carries puts her at an increased risk of all types of cancer.
• C) Because her parents did not develop kidney cancer, it is highly unlikely that they had a mutant form of the kid gene, and thus it is highly unlikely that she has a mutant kid gene. Therefore, she is not at risk of developing this form of kidney cancer.
• D) While she carries a mutant copy of the kid gene, it is highly unlikely that she will develop kidney cancer because two mutant copies are required to be affected with the cancer.
• E) Her father was a carrier of the mutant kid gene, and thus she is also a carrier of the mutant kid gene. She will likely not be affected, but her children will be at a high risk of developing the cancer.

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Definitions:

Retina

A light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye that converts light into neural signals sent to the brain.

Nearsighted

A common vision condition in which close objects appear clearly, while distant objects are blurred.

Myopic

Short-sightedness; a condition where close objects are seen clearly, but distant objects appear blurred. Also used metaphorically to describe a lack of foresight or long-term planning.

Eyeball

The spherical part of the eye that contains the visual apparatus and is responsible for vision.