AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The conversion of a proto-oncogene to an oncogene is called activation. Proto-oncogenes can become activated by a variety of genetic mechanisms including transduction, insertional mutagenesis, amplification, point mutations, and chromosomal translocations.

Detailed explanation-2: -Proto-oncogenes are genes that normally help cells grow and divide to make new cells, or to help cells stay alive. When a proto-oncogene mutates (changes) or there are too many copies of it, it can become turned on (activated) when it is not supposed to be, at which point it’s now called an oncogene.

Detailed explanation-3: -However, if an error (mutation) occurs in a proto-oncogene, the gene can become turned on when isn’t supposed to be. If this happens, the proto-oncogene can turn into a malfunctioning gene called an oncogene. Cells will start to grow out of control, which leads to cancer.

Detailed explanation-4: -Proto-oncogenes are a group of genes that cause normal cells to become cancerous when they are mutated (Adamson, 1987; Weinstein & Joe, 2006). Mutations in proto-oncogenes are typically dominant in nature, and the mutated version of a proto-oncogene is called an oncogene.

Detailed explanation-5: -A mutated (changed) form of a type of gene called a proto-oncogene, which is involved in normal cell growth and division. When a proto-oncogene is changed so that too many copies are made or it becomes more active than normal, it is called an oncogene.