Question

Suppose Alia recently learned that she inherited a mutant RB1 allele from her mother, who had retinoblastoma. RB1 is a tumor suppressor gene that is related to retinoblastoma. Why would Alia be at higher risk for getting retinoblastoma at an earlier age than her sister, Francine, who inherited a normal RB1 allele from their mother?

Answer 1

Answer:

Tumour suppressor genes can readily convert into tumour causing genes if mutations arise in them.

As Alia has one of the alleles that is a mutant, she will have more chances of getting retinoblastoma if the other allele gets mutated. A person who has inherited two functioning alleles of a tumour suppressor gene will require both the alleles to get mutated for the development of the tumour, hence her sister, Francine, who inherited a normal RB1 allele will have lesser chances.

Answer 2

Answer:

A person who inherited two functioning alleles of a tumor suppressor gene needs both alleles to mutate for tumors to develop

Explanation: