As discussed in the lectures, independent mutations in 4different gene types are required for the cell to become cancerous.Assume that a hypothetical intestinal stem cell divides every 4days. The general DNA replication error is 10-8 pernucleotide per replication, average gene length is 8000nucleotides, and the person average lifespan is 70 years. If weassume that mutations in both alleles of 4 specific genes arerequired for the cell to become cancerous, what is an averagerandom chance for that intestinal stem cell to acquire thesespecific mutations during its lifetime? After calculating thisnumber, think how it compares to the lifetime chances of a persongetting cancer, and why these numbers do not seem to match(remember that human body has 1013 cells).
As discussed in the lectures, independent mutations in 4different gene types are required for the cell to become cancerous.Assume that a hypothetical intestinal stem cell divides every 4days. The general DNA replication error is 10-8 pernucleotide per replication, average gene length is 8000nucleotides, and the person average lifespan is 70 years. If weassume that mutations in both alleles of 4 specific genes arerequired for the cell to become cancerous, what is an averagerandom chance for that intestinal stem cell to acquire thesespecific mutations during its lifetime? After calculating thisnumber, think how it compares to the lifetime chances of a persongetting cancer, and why these numbers do not seem to match(remember that human body has 1013 cells).
