When the Rate of DNA Repair Lags Behind the Rate

Question

When the rate of DNA repair lags behind the rate of mutation,what is a possible fate of the cell?
A)The cell may transform into a cancerous cell.
B)RNA may be used instead of DNA as inheritance material.
C)The cell will become embryonic.
D)DNA synthesis will continue by a new mechanism.
E)The rate of mutation will be lower.

Accepted Answer

When the rate of DNA repair lags behind the rate of mutation, the accumulation of mutations in critical genes may lead to the malfunctioning of the cell's normal regulatory mechanisms, including cell cycle checkpoints, DNA replication and repair pathways, and apoptosis (programmed cell death). These malfunctions may trigger the development of cancer by allowing uncontrolled cell division and tumor growth. Therefore, choice A, which states that the cell may transform into a cancerous cell, is the best option.