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 (XP) is an inherited disease that impairs the ability of cells to repair damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) light. Individuals with XP are 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. Therefore, the best choice to describe this phenomenon is an inherited inability to repair UV-induced mutation.

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