How are oncogenes and proto-oncogenes different?
A) Proto-oncogenes are activated tumor genes, whereas oncogenes are inactivated tumor suppressor genes.
B) Oncogenes can lead to tumor formation, whereas proto-oncogenes prevent tumor formation.
C) Oncogenes can lead to tumor formation, whereas proto-oncogenes are inactivated forms of oncogenes.
D) Oncogenes are tumor suppressors, whereas proto-oncogenes cause tumor formation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Proto-oncogenes are normal genes that can become oncogenes when they undergo mutations or overexpression, leading to uncontrolled cell growth and potentially tumor formation. Oncogenes are the mutated or overexpressed forms of proto-oncogenes that promote tumor formation. Therefore, option C is the correct statement. Options A, B, and D are incorrect because they either contain factual errors or present opposite statements.

How Are Oncogenes and Proto-Oncogenes Different