BRCA2 is a tumour-suppressor gene. Its gene product, BRCA2, is involved in DNA repair. If the DNA cannot be repaired, BRCA2 has a role in causing the cell to die. BRCA2 is found in cells of breast tissue.
When a mutation occurs in BRCA2, damaged DNA may not be repaired and this increases the risk of breast cancer.
When a double-stranded piece of DNA breaks, BRCA2 binds to the damaged DNA directly and interacts with the enzyme RAD51 to repair the damage.
Repairing DNA prevents other mutations and gene rearrangements from occurring which could otherwise lead to breast cancer.

Q: What topic does this question test?

This question tests Inherited change in A-Level Biology (syllabus code 9700). It is worth 11 marks.

Q: Which exam paper is this question from?

This question appeared in the Cambridge A-Level Biology May/June 2024 examination, Paper 4 Variant 3 (9700_s24_qp_43.pdf).

Question

BRCA2 is a tumour-suppressor gene. Its gene product, BRCA2, is involved in DNA repair. If the DNA cannot be repaired, BRCA2 has a role in causing the cell to die. BRCA2 is found in cells of breast tissue.
When a mutation occurs in BRCA2, damaged DNA may not be repaired and this increases the risk of breast cancer.
When a double-stranded piece of DNA breaks, BRCA2 binds to the damaged DNA directly and interacts with the enzyme RAD51 to repair the damage.
Repairing DNA prevents other mutations and gene rearrangements from occurring which could otherwise lead to breast cancer.

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