AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Listen to pronunciation. (myoo-TAY-shun) Any change in the DNA sequence of a cell. Mutations may be caused by mistakes during cell division, or they may be caused by exposure to DNA-damaging agents in the environment.

Detailed explanation-2: -Mutations are random changes that occur within the sequence of bases in DNA. They can be large scale, altering the structure of the chromosomes, or small scale where they only alter a few or even a single base or nucleotide. Mutations can occur for many reasons.

Detailed explanation-3: -Cancers are caused by damage to the DNA in your cells. These changes are called “gene mutations.” Gene mutations can build up in cells in your body over time. Cells with too many mutations may stop working normally, grow out of control and become cancerous.

Detailed explanation-4: -So errors will build up in other genes over time and allow a cancer to form. Scientists have found damaged DNA repair genes in some cancers, including bowel cancer.

Detailed explanation-5: -Genetic changes that cause cancer can be inherited or arise from certain environmental exposures. Genetic changes can also happen because of errors that occur as cells divide. Yes, cancer is a genetic disease. It is caused by changes in genes that control the way cells grow and multiply.