Give a possible interpretation of the finding that the number of mutational events that occur during the transition from
normal to malignant cells is much larger than previously thought. What will be an ideal response?
ANSWER: It has always been assumed that the process of DNA replication is extremely accurate and
that when mistakes are made that they are usually repaired as replication continues. In other
words, unrepaired mutations are a relatively rare event. These recent findings could suggest
that mistakes in replication are practically commonplace, but that even when there are, for
example, dozens of gene mutations, the body does not form malignant tumors. Despite what
we may think, it appears that since it takes an average of 90 mutant genes for the transition
from normal to malignant cells, the body is extremely resilient to the formation of cancer.
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Lizards can control spider populations on Caribbean islands by which density-dependent mechanism(s)?
a. predation only b. competition only c. predation on a common predator only d. predation and competition e. predation, competition, and predation on a common predator
What characteristic is common to most chordates, but is not a necessity?
a. Vertebrate b. Pharyngeal gill slits c. Postanal tail d. Notochord
Body cells of human males contain
a. one X chromosome and one Y chromosome. b. two X chromosomes. c. two Y chromosomes. d. two O chromosomes. e. chromosomes X, Y, and O.
An atom with more electrons than protons is called
a(n) __________. Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).