AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Through such pathways, cells can receive a stimulus to undergo mitosis (division) or apoptosis (programmed cell death). Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes can be compared to the controls of a car. In cancer cells, oncogenes act like a “stuck gas pedal”, and tumor suppressor genes act like “broken brakes”.

Detailed explanation-2: -You can think of them as being like the brakes of a car. However, when a tumor suppressor gene is switched off, either because the cell mistakenly deletes it or mutates it, the brake is released and the cell may start to grow and divide uncontrollably and potentially drive the cell to turn into a cancer cell.

Detailed explanation-3: -For example, TP53 is an important tumor suppressor gene. It codes for the p53 protein, which helps keep cell division under control. Inherited changes in the TP53 gene can lead to Li-Fraumeni syndrome.

Detailed explanation-4: -A type of gene that makes a protein called a tumor suppressor protein that helps control cell growth. Mutations (changes in DNA) in tumor suppressor genes may lead to cancer. Also called antioncogene.