BIOD 210 Module 7 Exam – Genetics (Portage Learning) (2026/2027)
Verified Questions & Answers | Guarantee Pass
Questions 1–200+
1. Two properties that are needed for cells to be classified as cancer cells are:
A) Rapid growth and small size
B) Uncontrolled cell division and the ability to invade other tissues
C) Large nuclei and multiple nucleoli
D) Apoptosis and differentiation
Answer B: Uncontrolled cell division and the ability to invade other tissues
Rationale: Cancer cells are defined by uncontrolled proliferation and invasive potential (metastasis).
2. True or False: Almost all cancer gene mutations are inherited.
A) True
B) False
Answer B: False
Rationale: Most cancer mutations are somatic (acquired during life), not inherited; only 5-10% of cancers
are hereditary.
3. A tumor that is confined to a localized region of the body is called a ______ tumor. If that tumor
breaks off and can invade other tissues, it is called a ______ tumor.
A) Malignant; benign
B) Benign; malignant
C) Primary; secondary
D) Local; metastatic
Answer B: Benign; malignant
Rationale: Benign tumors are localized and non-invasive; malignant tumors invade and metastasize.
4. Which protein is responsible for "checking" DNA damage at the G1/S checkpoint?
,A) p53
B) Cyclin D
C) CDK4
D) Rb
Answer A: p53
Rationale: p53 is a tumor suppressor that arrests the cell cycle at G1/S when DNA damage is detected and
can initiate apoptosis if damage is irreparable.
5. The retinoblastoma protein (Rb) functions to:
A) Promote progression from G1 to S phase
B) Inhibit E2F transcription factor, blocking cell cycle progression
C) Activate cyclin-dependent kinases
D) Repair double-strand DNA breaks
Answer B: Inhibit E2F transcription factor, blocking cell cycle progression
Rationale: Hypophosphorylated Rb binds E2F, preventing S phase entry; phosphorylation releases E2F for
cell cycle progression.
6. Which of the following best describes a proto-oncogene?
A) A gene that normally promotes cell division but can mutate to cause cancer
B) A gene that normally suppresses tumors
C) A gene that repairs DNA damage
D) A gene that induces apoptosis
Answer A: A gene that normally promotes cell division but can mutate to cause cancer
Rationale: Proto-oncogenes are normal growth-promoting genes that become oncogenes when mutated or
overexpressed.
7. True or False: The BAX family of proteins are proapoptotic, while the Bcl-2 family of proteins are
antiapoptotic.
A) True
B) False
Answer A: True
Rationale: BAX promotes apoptosis; Bcl-2 inhibits apoptosis. Their balance determines cell fate.
,8. True or False: The two classes of proteins that monitor the progression of the cell cycle are cyclins
and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs).
A) True
B) False
Answer A: True
Rationale: Cyclins and CDKs form complexes that regulate cell cycle transitions.
9. What is the Philadelphia chromosome?
A) A mutation in the p53 gene
B) A chromosomal translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22 (BCR-ABL fusion)
C) A deletion on chromosome 5
D) An inherited BRCA1 mutation
Answer B: A chromosomal translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22 (BCR-ABL fusion)
Rationale: The Philadelphia chromosome results from a translocation creating the BCR-ABL fusion gene,
which drives chronic myelogenous leukemia.
10. A nursing student is explaining the difference between a "passenger" mutation and a "driver"
mutation in cancer development. Which statement accurately describes a passenger mutation?
A) It imparts a growth advantage to the cell.
B) It is the result of a chromosomal translocation like the Philadelphia chromosome.
C) It occurs in a cell but does not contribute to its growth advantage.
D) It leads to the spread of a primary tumor to other areas of the body.
Answer C: It occurs in a cell but does not contribute to its growth advantage.
Rationale: Passenger mutations are "bystander" mutations that accumulate but do not drive cancer
progression.
11. A nurse is caring for a patient newly diagnosed with cancer. The patient asks, "What is the
difference between a tumor and metastasis?" Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
A) "A tumor is an undifferentiated cell, and metastasis is a mass of these cells."
B) "A tumor is a solid mass of uncontrolled growth, while metastasis is the spread of that tumor to other
areas of the body."
C) "A tumor is always malignant, while metastasis refers to a benign growth."
, D) "A tumor is caused by a failure in apoptosis, while metastasis is caused by a failure in the cell cycle."
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Answer B: "A tumor is a solid mass of uncontrolled growth, while metastasis is the spread of that
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j0 tumor to other areas of the body."
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Rationale: A tumor is a localized mass; metastasis is the spread of cancer cells to distant sites.
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12. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of colon cancer. Place the following steps in the
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j0 correct sequence to explain the process of tumorigenesis.
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1. Mutation in the APC gene leads to the growth of a benign polyp.
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2. Malignant tumor develops due to mutations in genes regulating apoptosis and cell cycle.
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3. Metastasis occurs, spreading cancer cells outside the colon.
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A) 1, 2, 3
j0 j0 j0
B) 1, 2, 3
j0 j0 j0
C) 2, 1, 3
j0 j0 j0
D) 3, 2, 1 j0 j0 j0
Answer B: 1, 2, 3 j0 j0 j0 j0
Rationale: Tumorigenesis follows a stepwise progression: APC mutation → polyp → malignant
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j0 transformation → metastasis. j0 j0
13. What is the primary function of tumor suppressor genes?
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A) To promote cell division
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B) To inhibit cell proliferation, repair DNA, or induce apoptosis
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C) To activate growth factor receptors
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D) To enhance angiogenesis
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Answer B: To inhibit cell proliferation, repair DNA, or induce apoptosis
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Rationale: Tumor suppressor genes act as "brakes" on cell growth; loss of function contributes to cancer.
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14. Which of the following is a characteristic of malignant tumors?
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Verified Questions & Answers | Guarantee Pass
Questions 1–200+
1. Two properties that are needed for cells to be classified as cancer cells are:
A) Rapid growth and small size
B) Uncontrolled cell division and the ability to invade other tissues
C) Large nuclei and multiple nucleoli
D) Apoptosis and differentiation
Answer B: Uncontrolled cell division and the ability to invade other tissues
Rationale: Cancer cells are defined by uncontrolled proliferation and invasive potential (metastasis).
2. True or False: Almost all cancer gene mutations are inherited.
A) True
B) False
Answer B: False
Rationale: Most cancer mutations are somatic (acquired during life), not inherited; only 5-10% of cancers
are hereditary.
3. A tumor that is confined to a localized region of the body is called a ______ tumor. If that tumor
breaks off and can invade other tissues, it is called a ______ tumor.
A) Malignant; benign
B) Benign; malignant
C) Primary; secondary
D) Local; metastatic
Answer B: Benign; malignant
Rationale: Benign tumors are localized and non-invasive; malignant tumors invade and metastasize.
4. Which protein is responsible for "checking" DNA damage at the G1/S checkpoint?
,A) p53
B) Cyclin D
C) CDK4
D) Rb
Answer A: p53
Rationale: p53 is a tumor suppressor that arrests the cell cycle at G1/S when DNA damage is detected and
can initiate apoptosis if damage is irreparable.
5. The retinoblastoma protein (Rb) functions to:
A) Promote progression from G1 to S phase
B) Inhibit E2F transcription factor, blocking cell cycle progression
C) Activate cyclin-dependent kinases
D) Repair double-strand DNA breaks
Answer B: Inhibit E2F transcription factor, blocking cell cycle progression
Rationale: Hypophosphorylated Rb binds E2F, preventing S phase entry; phosphorylation releases E2F for
cell cycle progression.
6. Which of the following best describes a proto-oncogene?
A) A gene that normally promotes cell division but can mutate to cause cancer
B) A gene that normally suppresses tumors
C) A gene that repairs DNA damage
D) A gene that induces apoptosis
Answer A: A gene that normally promotes cell division but can mutate to cause cancer
Rationale: Proto-oncogenes are normal growth-promoting genes that become oncogenes when mutated or
overexpressed.
7. True or False: The BAX family of proteins are proapoptotic, while the Bcl-2 family of proteins are
antiapoptotic.
A) True
B) False
Answer A: True
Rationale: BAX promotes apoptosis; Bcl-2 inhibits apoptosis. Their balance determines cell fate.
,8. True or False: The two classes of proteins that monitor the progression of the cell cycle are cyclins
and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs).
A) True
B) False
Answer A: True
Rationale: Cyclins and CDKs form complexes that regulate cell cycle transitions.
9. What is the Philadelphia chromosome?
A) A mutation in the p53 gene
B) A chromosomal translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22 (BCR-ABL fusion)
C) A deletion on chromosome 5
D) An inherited BRCA1 mutation
Answer B: A chromosomal translocation between chromosomes 9 and 22 (BCR-ABL fusion)
Rationale: The Philadelphia chromosome results from a translocation creating the BCR-ABL fusion gene,
which drives chronic myelogenous leukemia.
10. A nursing student is explaining the difference between a "passenger" mutation and a "driver"
mutation in cancer development. Which statement accurately describes a passenger mutation?
A) It imparts a growth advantage to the cell.
B) It is the result of a chromosomal translocation like the Philadelphia chromosome.
C) It occurs in a cell but does not contribute to its growth advantage.
D) It leads to the spread of a primary tumor to other areas of the body.
Answer C: It occurs in a cell but does not contribute to its growth advantage.
Rationale: Passenger mutations are "bystander" mutations that accumulate but do not drive cancer
progression.
11. A nurse is caring for a patient newly diagnosed with cancer. The patient asks, "What is the
difference between a tumor and metastasis?" Which response by the nurse is most accurate?
A) "A tumor is an undifferentiated cell, and metastasis is a mass of these cells."
B) "A tumor is a solid mass of uncontrolled growth, while metastasis is the spread of that tumor to other
areas of the body."
C) "A tumor is always malignant, while metastasis refers to a benign growth."
, D) "A tumor is caused by a failure in apoptosis, while metastasis is caused by a failure in the cell cycle."
j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0
Answer B: "A tumor is a solid mass of uncontrolled growth, while metastasis is the spread of that
j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0
j0 tumor to other areas of the body."
j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0
Rationale: A tumor is a localized mass; metastasis is the spread of cancer cells to distant sites.
j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0
12. A nurse is reviewing the pathophysiology of colon cancer. Place the following steps in the
j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0
j0 correct sequence to explain the process of tumorigenesis.
j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0
1. Mutation in the APC gene leads to the growth of a benign polyp.
j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0
2. Malignant tumor develops due to mutations in genes regulating apoptosis and cell cycle.
j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0
3. Metastasis occurs, spreading cancer cells outside the colon.
j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0
A) 1, 2, 3
j0 j0 j0
B) 1, 2, 3
j0 j0 j0
C) 2, 1, 3
j0 j0 j0
D) 3, 2, 1 j0 j0 j0
Answer B: 1, 2, 3 j0 j0 j0 j0
Rationale: Tumorigenesis follows a stepwise progression: APC mutation → polyp → malignant
j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0
j0 transformation → metastasis. j0 j0
13. What is the primary function of tumor suppressor genes?
j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0
A) To promote cell division
j0 j0 j0 j0
B) To inhibit cell proliferation, repair DNA, or induce apoptosis
j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0
C) To activate growth factor receptors
j0 j0 j0 j0 j0
D) To enhance angiogenesis
j0 j0 j0
Answer B: To inhibit cell proliferation, repair DNA, or induce apoptosis
j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0
Rationale: Tumor suppressor genes act as "brakes" on cell growth; loss of function contributes to cancer.
j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0 j0
14. Which of the following is a characteristic of malignant tumors?
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