MDARD Michigan Core Pesticide Applicator Practice Exam

What does an oncogen do?

1. It eliminates cancer cells

2. It causes tumor formation

3. It repairs genetic material

4. It prevents cell division

The correct answer is: It causes tumor formation

An oncogen plays a critical role in the development of cancer by contributing to uncontrolled cell growth and division. Specifically, oncogenes are mutated forms of normal genes (proto-oncogenes) that, when activated, promote abnormal proliferation of cells. This unchecked growth can lead to the formation of tumors. The function of oncogenes is directly related to their ability to override the normal regulatory mechanisms that control cell division and apoptosis (programmed cell death). When these genes are mutated, they can continuously signal for cell division, thus facilitating tumorigenesis, the process of tumor formation. In contrast, other options refer to cellular processes that oncogenes do not, such as eliminating cancer cells, repairing genetic material, or preventing cell division, which instead involve other types of genes or biological mechanisms entirely.