AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -A single mutation will likely not cause cancer. Usually, cancer occurs from multiple mutations over a lifetime. That is why cancer occurs more often in older people.

Detailed explanation-2: -Cell changes and cancer All cancers begin in cells. Our bodies are made up of more than a hundred million million (100, 000, 000, 000, 000) cells. Cancer starts with changes in one cell or a small group of cells.

Detailed explanation-3: -Genes contain information to make proteins, and proteins control many important functions like cell growth. Genetic mutations can change how proteins function. Some types of genetic mutations change proteins in ways that cause healthy cells to become cancerous.

Detailed explanation-4: -For example, about four mutations per patient on average drive liver cancers, whereas colorectal cancers typically require 10 or so driver mutations.” “In the study, we revealed that around half of these key mutations driving cancer occur in genes that are not yet identified as cancer genes.