3.2 Medical Interventions (PLTW) Final
Exam and Actual Answers 2025-2026
Set.
What factors cause a person to develop cancer? - Answer Behavioral, biological,
environmental, and genetic
What type of lifestyle choices increases the risk of cancer - Answer Smoking, bad diet, being
overweight, constant UV exposure
How can you reduce your risk of cancer? - Answer 1. avoid tobacco
2. exercise
3. eat healthy
4. avoid radiation
5. moderate alcohol
How many variables need to be controlled in an experiment? - Answer All of them (except
for the independent variable which is purposefully being changed)
How do viruses work? - Answer They can insert their DNA or RNA into a host cell, causing
the host cell's genes to mutate which can sometimes cause the cell to become cancerous.
What are routine cancer screenings a person should get? - Answer
Explain Marker Analysis - Answer A technique where the gene mutation is analyzed using a
genetic marker instead of directly analyzing the gene itself.
In what ways do different risk factors increase the chance that a person will develop cancer? -
Answer Behavioral, biological, environmental, and genetic risk factors increase the chance
that a person will develop cancer.
How can lifestyle changes reduce the risk for developing cancer? - Answer • If you stay away
from smoking, drinking,
tanning, and toxins it can reduce your risks of
developing cancers.
• If you avoid tanning then you can reduce your
, risk of developing melanoma.
How can molecular tests be used to detect inherited genetic mutations associated with certain
cancers? - Answer Genetic Marker Analysis - Easier and cheaper genetic analysis that DNA
Sequencing.
These are located directly in front of the gene in question (therefore, often passed on with the
gene)
Markers are Short Tandem Repeats (non-coding DNA that are repetitive sequences of DNA)
STRs are highly variable by length (sequence can repeat any number of times making them
different lengths)
Easy to identify STRs using
gel electrophoresis because they are
simply different lengths
Use of genetic markers
Use them in conjunction with pedigrees
Identify people with gene for cancer
Conduct a marker analysis on family members and unknown family member using gel
electrophoresis
Identify STR sizes using standard curve
Compare STRs and identify alleles possessed by each family member
Analyze allele to see if there is a correlation between alleles and family members with cancer
How can viruses lead to cancer? - Answer Viruses insert their DNA or RNA into a host cell,
causing the host cell's genes to mutate which can sometimes cause the cell to become
cancerous.
What is the importance of routine cancer screenings? - Answer You should get routine
screenings for:
Prostate
Colon
Cervical
Breast
Skin, Testicular, and lung
Early detection of cancers is crucial to stop the metastases process before the cancer spreads
and cause problems elsewhere.
It is also easier to treat and cure cancer when caught early
Behavioral risks - Answer Smoking, diet
Exam and Actual Answers 2025-2026
Set.
What factors cause a person to develop cancer? - Answer Behavioral, biological,
environmental, and genetic
What type of lifestyle choices increases the risk of cancer - Answer Smoking, bad diet, being
overweight, constant UV exposure
How can you reduce your risk of cancer? - Answer 1. avoid tobacco
2. exercise
3. eat healthy
4. avoid radiation
5. moderate alcohol
How many variables need to be controlled in an experiment? - Answer All of them (except
for the independent variable which is purposefully being changed)
How do viruses work? - Answer They can insert their DNA or RNA into a host cell, causing
the host cell's genes to mutate which can sometimes cause the cell to become cancerous.
What are routine cancer screenings a person should get? - Answer
Explain Marker Analysis - Answer A technique where the gene mutation is analyzed using a
genetic marker instead of directly analyzing the gene itself.
In what ways do different risk factors increase the chance that a person will develop cancer? -
Answer Behavioral, biological, environmental, and genetic risk factors increase the chance
that a person will develop cancer.
How can lifestyle changes reduce the risk for developing cancer? - Answer • If you stay away
from smoking, drinking,
tanning, and toxins it can reduce your risks of
developing cancers.
• If you avoid tanning then you can reduce your
, risk of developing melanoma.
How can molecular tests be used to detect inherited genetic mutations associated with certain
cancers? - Answer Genetic Marker Analysis - Easier and cheaper genetic analysis that DNA
Sequencing.
These are located directly in front of the gene in question (therefore, often passed on with the
gene)
Markers are Short Tandem Repeats (non-coding DNA that are repetitive sequences of DNA)
STRs are highly variable by length (sequence can repeat any number of times making them
different lengths)
Easy to identify STRs using
gel electrophoresis because they are
simply different lengths
Use of genetic markers
Use them in conjunction with pedigrees
Identify people with gene for cancer
Conduct a marker analysis on family members and unknown family member using gel
electrophoresis
Identify STR sizes using standard curve
Compare STRs and identify alleles possessed by each family member
Analyze allele to see if there is a correlation between alleles and family members with cancer
How can viruses lead to cancer? - Answer Viruses insert their DNA or RNA into a host cell,
causing the host cell's genes to mutate which can sometimes cause the cell to become
cancerous.
What is the importance of routine cancer screenings? - Answer You should get routine
screenings for:
Prostate
Colon
Cervical
Breast
Skin, Testicular, and lung
Early detection of cancers is crucial to stop the metastases process before the cancer spreads
and cause problems elsewhere.
It is also easier to treat and cure cancer when caught early
Behavioral risks - Answer Smoking, diet
