Which statement best describes the role of suppressor genes in cancer development?

Question

A. The presence of suppressor genes increases the risk for gene damage by carcino-gens.
B. People with more suppressor genes are at an increased risk for cancer develop-ment.
C. Suppressor genes increase immune function, suppressing the risk for cancer de-velopment.
D. Suppressor genes control the expression of oncogenes, reducing the risk for cancer development.

Answer 1

D
Suppressor genes are responsible for suppressing the activity of oncogenes. When pro-to-oncogenes are activated to oncogene status, a normal cell can become malignant. Oncogenes are a part of the normal cell's normal genes but should no longer be actively expressed after em-bryonic life. Current research indicates that most DNA damage that leads to cancer development does so by damaging the ability of suppressor genes to continue to suppress oncogene activation.