Question

1.Describe how mutations lead to genetic variations.
2.Which appears to be more dangerous the BRC1 or BRC2 mutation?
3.Analyze a woman’s risk of dying of cancer if she carries a mutated BRC1 gene.
4.How do heredity and inheritance relate to the data presented in these charts?
5.What data would you need to see in order to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of preventive surgeries?
6.What does the age at diagnosis tell you about the mutation?
7.Explain how breast cancer genes are still present in the population, despite cancer related surgeries and deaths.

Answer 1

1) By producing random changes in an organism's genetic code.
This causes a different protein to be produced, or none at all. Usually has a negative effect, due to an important protein, e.g. an enzyme, not being produced, so the organism cannot do a certain thing (e.g. digest fats), occasionally makes an organism better able to survive (positive effect). This means that it is more likely to survive and pass the mutated (beneficial) gene on to it's offspring.
2) There's a somewhat higher risk for breast and ovarian cancer with BRCA1 mutations than with BRCA2 mutations but breast cancer in males is associated with BRCA2 mutation. In my opinion, they are equally bad and I have yet to come across a published article that convinces me otherwise.

Answer 2

3) Risk of dying depends on what type of cancer is present. It can be very treatable, or the patient who tests positive for having the mutation might never develop the cancer.

Answer 3

@hanah thanks

Answer 4

hope this was helpful @kristopher1014

Answer 5

what about 4, 5, 6, and 7. where are the answers to them?