Cancer genetics: practice question

A Pathology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

Pathology · Cancer genetics

Sample item

What is the normal role of the p53 tumor-suppressor protein after severe DNA damage?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Pause the cell cycle and promote repair or apoptosis

p53 responds to genomic stress by halting the cell cycle, coordinating DNA repair, senescence, or apoptosis when damage cannot be corrected, which is why loss of p53 function promotes cancer development.

Option by option

  • A. Pause the cell cycle and promote repair or apoptosis (correct)

    Correct: p53 prevents propagation of damaged genomes through arrest or apoptosis.

  • B. Activate complement-mediated lysis

    Complement lysis is an immune pathway unrelated to p53.

  • C. Increase telomerase in all cells

    Telomerase activation can aid immortalization but is not p53's normal acute response.

  • D. Convert fibrinogen to fibrin

    Fibrin formation is part of coagulation, not tumor-suppressor function.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Pathology questions

Questions about this Pathology question

What is the answer to this Pathology question?

The best answer is A, Pause the cell cycle and promote repair or apoptosis. p53 responds to genomic stress by halting the cell cycle, coordinating DNA repair, senescence, or apoptosis when damage cannot be corrected, which is why loss of p53 function promotes cancer development.

Why is "Activate complement-mediated lysis" not the answer?

Complement lysis is an immune pathway unrelated to p53.

Why is "Increase telomerase in all cells" not the answer?

Telomerase activation can aid immortalization but is not p53's normal acute response.

Why is "Convert fibrinogen to fibrin" not the answer?

Fibrin formation is part of coagulation, not tumor-suppressor function.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Cancer genetics in Pathology. The correct option holds because: Correct: p53 prevents propagation of damaged genomes through arrest or apoptosis.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Cancer genetics?

Learn each disease as a bundle: cause, key histology, markers, and the clinical hallmark. Then use the flashcards and the other Pathology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.