Question

Classify the statements below as describing proto-oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. 1. Some products of these genes normally function in repairing damaged DNA. 2. These genes code for proteins that normally promote cell division. 3. Mutations that increase activity of these genes may lead to cancer. 4. These genes code for proteins that normally prevent uncontrolled cell division. 5. Loss-of-function mutations in these genes may lead to cancer.

Answer 1

2. These genes code for proteins that normally promote cell division.

DNA genetic code is copied in a process called transcription when the cell needs to make some proteins that it needs, that is during the process of protein synthesis.

In the cell nucleus, transcription occurs when coded information is copied (transcribed) from DNA onto messenger RNA (mRNA) with the help of an enzyme called RNA polymerase.