Introduction / Context:
Modern biology and medical science place great emphasis on understanding the genetic basis of diseases. Oncogenes are a key concept in cancer biology. These genes, when altered or abnormally activated, can drive cells to divide uncontrollably. This question tests whether you can correctly associate oncogenes with the disease condition they are most famously linked to, which is cancer, and distinguish this from infectious diseases caused by viruses or bacteria.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- The term oncogene is given in the question.
- The options are diarrhoea, cancer, dengue, and polio.
- We assume an understanding of the difference between genetic causes and infectious diseases.
Concept / Approach:
Oncogenes are mutated or overexpressed versions of normal genes called proto oncogenes. Proto oncogenes usually regulate cell growth and division, but when they become oncogenes, they can cause uncontrolled proliferation. This leads to the formation of tumors and malignant growths. Diarrhoea, dengue, and polio are primarily infectious conditions caused by pathogens such as bacteria or viruses, and they are not directly produced by oncogene activation. Therefore, by matching oncogenes to their characteristic outcome, we select cancer as the correct answer.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the word onco relates to tumors, as in oncology, the branch of medicine dealing with cancer.
Step 2: Understand that oncogenes arise when proto oncogenes undergo mutation or amplification and start promoting uncontrolled cell division.
Step 3: Recognize that uncontrolled cell division and loss of normal growth control is the hallmark of cancer.
Step 4: Note that diarrhoea is usually a symptom of infection or digestive upset, not a disease caused by genetic oncogenes.
Step 5: Remember that dengue is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes and polio is caused by poliovirus, both clearly infectious diseases.
Step 6: Conclude that oncogenes are directly linked to the development of cancer.
Verification / Alternative check:
An alternative way to verify the answer is to recall the branch of study called molecular oncology, which focuses on how mutations in specific genes lead to cancer. Standard biology and medical texts clearly connect oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes with cancer formation. Infectious diseases like dengue, polio, and many causes of diarrhoea involve pathogens and are studied mainly in microbiology and infectious disease medicine, not in the context of oncogenes. This separation confirms that cancer is the condition induced by oncogenes.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Diarrhoea: Though it can be severe, it is usually due to infection, food poisoning, or digestive issues, and not due to oncogenes.
Dengue: This is a mosquito borne viral illness caused by dengue virus and is unrelated to oncogene activity.
Polio: Polio is an infectious disease caused by the poliovirus, leading to paralysis in severe cases, and it does not result from activation of oncogenes.
Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is to focus only on the severity of a disease. Since cancer, dengue, and polio can all be serious, some learners may think any of them could be associated with oncogenes. However, it is crucial to differentiate between genetic mechanisms and infectious agents. Remember that oncogenes operate at the level of cell DNA and growth control, which is characteristic of cancer rather than acute infections like dengue or polio.
Final Answer:
Oncogenes are primarily associated with the development of
Cancer.
Discussion & Comments