Why Elephants Don't Get Cancer Quiz

What is the key cancer-fighting gene that elephants have multiple copies of?

• KRAS

• p53

• BRCA1

• TP53

How many copies of the p53 gene do elephants have?

• 25

• 20

• 15

• 10

What is the total number of proteins produced by elephants' p53 gene copies?

• 40

• 30

• 50

• 20

What phenomenon do scientists refer to when discussing the low cancer rates in long-lived animals?

• Darwin's theory

• Peto's paradox

• Mendelian genetics

• Lamarckism

What role does the p53 gene play in mammals?

• Replicates DNA

• Increases mutation rates

• Prevents mutated cells from turning into tumors

• Promotes cell division

What happens to cells if the p53 gene is not functioning properly?

• Cancer can easily take hold

• They self-destruct immediately

• They replicate faster

• They become immune to mutations

What did the scientists model to understand elephants' cancer resistance?

• Human DNA

• Elephants' 40 p53 proteins

• Whale genes

• Cancer cells

What is one way elephants' p53 gene copies help them avoid cancer?

• They replicate more quickly

• They enhance immune response

• They lower the chance of p53 mutations

• They increase cell growth

What is the significance of the variations in elephants' p53 gene copies?

• They are less effective than in humans

• They cause more mutations

• They respond differently to damaged cells

• They produce fewer proteins

What type of research are scientists conducting with blood samples from an African elephant?

• Studying its diet

• Exploring p53 proteins interaction with damaged cells

• Analyzing its social behavior

• Investigating its habitat