Question

If the woman’s cancer began with a mutation in the p53 gene that she inherited from her mother, what is the chance (as a percentage or fraction) that she passes this mutation on to her child? Please explain your reasoning, using at least TWO biologically accurate ideas.

Answer 1

The p53 is a tumour suppressor gene. During mutations, cells turn on this gene to avoid becoming cancerous. So, mutations in this gene increase the risk of cancers.

In the given case, it was mentioned that the women inherited the p53 mutation from her mother, means, it is a germ line mutation, so the mutation can be autosomal ot sex linked. If the women is a carrier for the mutation, the chance of passing the mutation to her child is, 50%. Or if she is having two mutant alleles, the chances for passing the mutation to her child is, 100%.