The Cell Cycle & Mitosis Tutorial

Problem 9: Cancer

The sputum (fluid coughed up from the lungs) of many smokers contain cells with mutations (errors) in the genes for p53. The smoking induced mutations appear to be an early signal showing that cancer of the lungs will follow. What is the likely relationship between early p53 mutation and the development of lung cancer?

C.	Mutant p53 triggers the M phase of the cell cycle leading to abnormal cell division.
	Incorrect. p53 blocks the S phase until a cell can repair damaged DNA.