Which situation would be the most likely result of a mutation in a eukaryotic organism that causes it to produce less p21 protein than normal?
A) Cell replication would be slowed if the organism receives radiation.
B) Cells with radiation-induced DNA damage would continue through the cell cycle without repairing the damaged DNA.
C) Cells with incomplete DNA replication would continue through the checkpoint.
D) Cells would not respond to growth factors.
E) Cells would have a hypersensitive response to growth factors.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

p21 protein is a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor that helps to regulate the cell cycle by stopping it at the G1/S and G2/M checkpoints. If there is less p21 protein, the checkpoint mechanisms will be less effective at stopping the cell cycle progression. This would allow cells with DNA damage to continue through the cell cycle without repairing the damage, leading to mutations and potentially cancer. Therefore, option B is the most likely result of a mutation that causes the organism to produce less p21 protein than normal.

Which Situation Would Be the Most Likely Result of a Mutation