University of the Immaculate Conception

COLLEGE OF MEDICAL AND BI OLOGICAL SCIENCES

Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science
Fr. Selga St., Davao City 8000, Philippines
|Tel nos. 221 -8090 (local 118)| Fax .: (63-082) 226-2676|

CYTOGENETICS
Finals- TLA 2

General Instructions:

1. Answer the following questions.

2. Answers should be handwritten in your notebook or a clean bond paper. Make sure that answers are
clearly written. Illegible answers are automatically marked wrong.
3. Write your complete name and section at the top left most of your paper.
4. Take a clear screenshot or scan of your work and submit your output to the designated area in the
classroom:
Filename: Last Name, First Name-Cytogen-Finals-TLA2

Instructions: Read the case study and answer the following questions. If you are to cite other references do
not forget to follow the APA format. You may use a separate sheet if necessary. Strictly no erasures.

“Gene Mutations and Cancer”

Cancer is considered a genetic disease because it is always associated with a mutation in the genetic sequence.
However, many different things can alterDNA, including viruses and various environmental factors (Figure 2).

Estimates of risk factors for cancer calculated in percentages. Lifestyle choices related to diet and smoking
can be linked with over60 % of cancer cases.

COLLEGE OF MEDICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

PAASCU accredited
 University of the Immaculate Conception
COLLEGE OF MEDICAL AND BI OLOGICAL SCIENCES
Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science
Fr. Selga St., Davao City 8000, Philippines
|Tel nos. 221 -8090 (local 118)| Fax .: (63-082) 226-2676|

Viruses inject foreign genetic information into cells, disrupting the DNA that codes for cell division. Some
viruses that are linked to sexually transmitted diseases are known to cause cancer. For example, women who
have human papillomavirus (HPV) have a greater incidence of cancer. Environmental factors have been linked
to other types of cancer. Skin cancer, for example, has been linked with ultraviolet radiation from the Sun.
Exposure to harmful chemicals in our environment can also cause cancer. A number of cancer-causing
substances can be found in cigarettes. Whatever the initial cause, scientists agree that all cancers are related
to mutations. Usually, it takes more than one mutation to trigger a malignant growth. This is why cancer usually
occurs more frequently in older people. Two lines of evidence indicate that cancer results from mutations. First,
cancer cells often display nitrogen base substitution, or the movement of genetic material from one part of
the chromosome to another. Second, many known mutagens are also known to cause cancer. X-rays,
ultraviolet radiation, and mutagenic chemicals can induce cancer. In 1982, molecular biologists were able to
provide additional evidence to support the hypothesis that cancer could be traced to genetic mutations.
Segments of chromosomes extracted from cancerous mice were used to transform normal mouse cells
(growing in tissue culture) into cancerous cells. The cancer-causing genes, called oncogenes, seemed to turn
on cell division. In their noncancerous state, oncogenes are usually referred to as proto-oncogenes. Proto-
oncogenes may remain inactive or may perform some useful function until they are triggered to become active
oncogenes. Evidence suggests that activation occurs in a number of steps, so a single “hit”(mutation) does not
immediately result in cancerous cell divisions. Further studies indicate that cancer-causing oncogenes are
present in normal strands of DNA. But if oncogenes are found in normal cells, why do normal cells not become
cancerous? One current theory that has gained acceptance from the scientific community suggests that the
cancer gene has been transposed (moved) to another gene site. Such transpositions may have been brought
about by environmental factors or mutagenic chemicals or other agents. Genes that direct the assembly of
amino acids into proteins are referred to as structural genes. Genes called regulator genes act like a switch to
turn “off”segments of the DNA molecule, so that a gene is active only when and where its gene product is
needed. In very simple terms, when a mutagen causes the oncogene to become separated from its regulator
gene, the cell may then be unable to turn the gene "off" (Figure 3). This causes the cell to continue to divide
at an accelerated rate.

Figure 3.

Mutagenic agents may cause the separation of

the regulator and structural genes.
If the structural gene codes fora protein involved in
controlling cell division, this separation can lead to
cancer.

COLLEGE OF MEDICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

PAASCU accredited
 University of the Immaculate Conception
COLLEGE OF MEDICAL AND BI OLOGICAL SCIENCES
Medical Technology/Medical Laboratory Science
Fr. Selga St., Davao City 8000, Philippines
|Tel nos. 221 -8090 (local 118)| Fax .: (63-082) 226-2676|

The most common oncogene, ras, is found in 50 % of colon cancers and 30 % of lung cancers. Present in
normal cells, ras makes a protein that acts as an “on” switch for cell division. Ras ensures that cells divide to
replace damaged or dead cells. After a sufficient number of cells have been produced, the ras gene should be
turned off. But the cancer-causing oncogene produces a protein that blocks the “off” switch. With the switch
left on, cell division goes on continuously.

Reference: N.A.Cell Division, Genetics and Molecular Biology. Retrieved July 10, 2020, from
https://www.pdfdrive.com/cell-division-genetics-and-molecular-biology-cell-division-genetics-and-
molecular-biology-e22406140.html

Case Study Questions:

1. Why do many scientists believe that certain viruses cause cancer?

2. How does sunlight cause cancer?
3. List three environmental carcinogens and suggest a possible source foreach.
4. Distinguish between oncogenes and proto-oncogenes.
5. Explain how oncogenes are activated.
6. What is the ras gene?

COLLEGE OF MEDICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

PAASCU accredited