One hereditary disease in humans, called xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), makes homozygous individuals exceptionally susceptible to UV-induced mutation damage in the cells of exposed tissue, especially skin. Without extraordinary avoidance of sunlight exposure, patients soon succumb to numerous skin cancers. Which of the following best describes this phenomenon?
A)inherited cancer taking a few years to be expressed
B)embryonic or fetal cancer
C)inherited predisposition to mutation
D)inherited inability to repair UV-induced mutation
E)susceptibility to chemical carcinogens

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Xeroderma pigmentosum is a hereditary disease that affects the body's ability to repair DNA damage caused by exposure to UV radiation. Homozygous individuals with the disease have an inherited inability to repair UV-induced mutations, which leads to numerous skin cancers without extraordinary avoidance of sunlight exposure.

One Hereditary Disease in Humans, Called Xeroderma Pigmentosum (XP), Makes