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Cancer and Oncology Nursing

Oncogenesis and Tumor Cell Biology Practice Questions

20 free Oncogenesis and Tumor Cell Biology practice questions for the NCLEX Exam. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.

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Question 1 of 20 Medium

What is the process by which normal cells are transformed into malignant cells?

  1. A Differentiation
  2. B Oncogenesis
  3. C Apoptosis
  4. D Metastasis

Correct answer: Oncogenesis

Oncogenesis refers to the process of tumor formation and development due to genetic mutations that cause uncontrolled cell proliferation.

Question 2 of 20 Medium

Which cellular mechanism primarily prevents the replication of damaged DNA?

  1. A Proto-oncogenes
  2. B Tumor suppressor genes
  3. C Growth factor receptors
  4. D Angiogenesis inhibitors

Correct answer: Tumor suppressor genes

Tumor suppressor genes, like p53, detect DNA damage and halt the cell cycle for repair or trigger apoptosis, preventing tumor formation.

Question 3 of 20 Medium

A mutation in the p53 gene is most likely to result in?

  1. A Enhanced DNA repair
  2. B Uncontrolled cell growth
  3. C Increased cell differentiation
  4. D Reduced protein synthesis

Correct answer: Uncontrolled cell growth

The p53 gene normally prevents proliferation of cells with damaged DNA; its mutation disables this safeguard, promoting uncontrolled division.

Question 4 of 20 Medium

Which of the following best describes proto-oncogenes?

  1. A Genes that suppress tumor formation
  2. B Genes that promote normal cell growth and differentiation
  3. C Mutated genes that inhibit apoptosis
  4. D Viral genes causing tumor growth

Correct answer: Genes that promote normal cell growth and differentiation

Proto-oncogenes regulate normal cell growth; when mutated, they become oncogenes that drive malignant transformation.

Question 5 of 20 Medium

Which enzyme allows cancer cells to maintain unlimited replication potential?

  1. A RNA polymerase
  2. B Telomerase
  3. C DNA ligase
  4. D Caspase

Correct answer: Telomerase

Telomerase prevents telomere shortening during replication, allowing cancer cells to divide indefinitely.

Question 6 of 20 Easy

The term 'angiogenesis' in tumor biology refers to?

  1. A Cell death
  2. B New blood vessel formation
  3. C DNA mutation repair
  4. D Cell differentiation

Correct answer: New blood vessel formation

Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels, which tumors exploit to obtain oxygen and nutrients for growth.

Question 7 of 20 Easy

Which phase of the cell cycle is most susceptible to the effects of chemotherapy?

  1. A G0 phase
  2. B G1 phase
  3. C S phase
  4. D G2 phase

Correct answer: S phase

Chemotherapy agents often target rapidly dividing cells during the S phase when DNA synthesis occurs.

Question 8 of 20 Easy

The term 'metastasis' refers to?

  1. A Growth of a benign tumor
  2. B Spread of cancer cells to distant organs
  3. C Activation of apoptosis
  4. D Immune destruction of abnormal cells

Correct answer: Spread of cancer cells to distant organs

Metastasis is the process where cancer cells invade distant tissues through blood or lymphatic systems.

Question 9 of 20 Easy

Which of the following is a hallmark of cancer cells?

  1. A Limited proliferative capacity
  2. B Sensitivity to growth inhibition
  3. C Evasion of apoptosis
  4. D Stable genome

Correct answer: Evasion of apoptosis

Cancer cells evade apoptosis, allowing survival despite significant genetic damage and abnormal growth signals.

Question 10 of 20 Hard

Which factor most contributes to the transformation of a proto-oncogene into an oncogene?

  1. A Viral infection or mutation
  2. B Nutritional deficiency
  3. C Increased immune surveillance
  4. D Decreased mitotic activity

Correct answer: Viral infection or mutation

Certain mutations or viral insertions can activate proto-oncogenes into oncogenes, leading to uncontrolled cell proliferation.

Question 11 of 20 Hard

A nurse explains to a patient that carcinogenesis is a?

  1. A A rapid process completed within a few days
  2. B A single-step genetic event
  3. C A multistep process of initiation, promotion, and progression
  4. D An outcome of excessive immune activity

Correct answer: A multistep process of initiation, promotion, and progression

Carcinogenesis occurs in stages—initiation (mutation), promotion (proliferation), and progression (malignancy).

Question 12 of 20 Hard

The 'initiation' phase of carcinogenesis is characterized by?

  1. A Reversible changes in gene expression
  2. B Irreversible genetic mutations
  3. C Cell differentiation
  4. D Immune-mediated destruction

Correct answer: Irreversible genetic mutations

Initiation involves permanent genetic mutations that predispose cells to malignant transformation.

Question 13 of 20 Hard

Which best describes the 'promotion' stage of carcinogenesis?

  1. A Irreversible DNA mutation of the cell
  2. B Proliferation of initiated cells driven by promoting agents
  3. C Immune-mediated destruction of tumor cells
  4. D Formation of new tumor blood vessels

Correct answer: Proliferation of initiated cells driven by promoting agents

Promotion is the stage where initiated cells proliferate in response to promoting factors such as hormones or chemicals.

Question 14 of 20 Hard

Which cellular characteristic distinguishes malignant tumors from benign tumors?

  1. A Slow growth rate
  2. B Encapsulation
  3. C Ability to metastasize
  4. D Uniform cell structure

Correct answer: Ability to metastasize

Malignant tumors invade surrounding tissues and metastasize, whereas benign tumors remain localized.

Question 15 of 20 Hard

What role do oncogenes play in tumor development?

  1. A Suppress abnormal cell division
  2. B Inhibit angiogenesis
  3. C Stimulate uncontrolled cell growth
  4. D Promote apoptosis

Correct answer: Stimulate uncontrolled cell growth

Oncogenes are mutated forms of proto-oncogenes that promote continuous cell division and growth.

Question 16 of 20 Hard

The Ras gene family is associated with?

  1. A Inhibition of programmed cell death
  2. B Suppression of cell differentiation
  3. C Signal transduction driving growth
  4. D Enhancement of DNA damage repair

Correct answer: Signal transduction driving growth

Ras genes encode signaling proteins that, when mutated, continuously activate pathways for cell proliferation.

Question 17 of 20 Hard

Which type of mutation typically leads to loss of tumor suppressor gene function?

  1. A Missense point mutation
  2. B Nonsense point mutation
  3. C Frameshift/deletion mutation
  4. D Silent (synonymous) mutation

Correct answer: Frameshift/deletion mutation

Frameshift or deletion mutations can disrupt tumor suppressor gene coding, inactivating its protective function.

Question 18 of 20 Hard

What is the main function of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes?

  1. A Regulate apoptosis
  2. B Repair DNA damage
  3. C Promote angiogenesis
  4. D Enhance telomerase activity

Correct answer: Repair DNA damage

BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are crucial for DNA repair; their mutation increases susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancers.

Question 19 of 20 Hard

Which of the following describes the role of the immune system in oncogenesis?

  1. A It directly stimulates tumor cell growth
  2. B It clears mutated cells via immune surveillance
  3. C It actively mutates proto-oncogenes
  4. D It increases tumor blood vessel formation

Correct answer: It clears mutated cells via immune surveillance

The immune system detects and destroys abnormal cells; failure in surveillance allows cancerous cells to proliferate.

Question 20 of 20 Hard

The process by which cancer cells resist normal growth signals is due to?

  1. A Activation of tumor suppressor genes
  2. B Loss of contact inhibition
  3. C Decreased metabolic rate
  4. D Enhanced differentiation

Correct answer: Loss of contact inhibition

Cancer cells lose contact inhibition, enabling continuous proliferation even when surrounded by other cells.

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