Q.1 Which of the following is a known environmental factor that can contribute to cancer development?
High-fiber diet
Ultraviolet radiation
Regular exercise
Adequate sleep
Explanation - Exposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause DNA damage in skin cells, increasing the risk of skin cancer.
Correct answer is: Ultraviolet radiation
Q.2 Which type of gene mutation is primarily associated with uncontrolled cell proliferation in cancer?
Oncogenes
Housekeeping genes
Tumor suppressor genes
Ribosomal genes
Explanation - Oncogenes are mutated forms of normal genes (proto-oncogenes) that drive excessive cell division, leading to tumor growth.
Correct answer is: Oncogenes
Q.3 Which of the following viruses is linked to cervical cancer?
Hepatitis B virus
Human papillomavirus
Influenza virus
HIV
Explanation - High-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), such as HPV-16 and HPV-18, are major contributors to cervical cancer.
Correct answer is: Human papillomavirus
Q.4 What is the term for programmed cell death that is often defective in cancer cells?
Necrosis
Apoptosis
Autophagy
Mitosis
Explanation - Cancer cells often evade apoptosis, allowing them to survive and proliferate uncontrollably.
Correct answer is: Apoptosis
Q.5 Which carcinogen is most commonly linked to lung cancer?
Asbestos
Cigarette smoke
UV light
Alcohol
Explanation - Cigarette smoke contains multiple carcinogens that can cause mutations leading to lung cancer.
Correct answer is: Cigarette smoke
Q.6 Which of the following is considered a hereditary factor in cancer?
BRCA1 mutation
Obesity
Smoking
Radiation exposure
Explanation - Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes significantly increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancers and can be inherited.
Correct answer is: BRCA1 mutation
Q.7 The process by which normal cells transform into cancer cells is called:
Carcinogenesis
Apoptosis
Differentiation
Angiogenesis
Explanation - Carcinogenesis refers to the multi-step process by which normal cells acquire mutations and become malignant.
Correct answer is: Carcinogenesis
Q.8 Which stage in carcinogenesis involves the reversible change of normal cells to abnormal cells due to exposure to carcinogens?
Initiation
Promotion
Progression
Metastasis
Explanation - Initiation is the first step where DNA damage occurs, potentially leading to malignancy if not repaired.
Correct answer is: Initiation
Q.9 Which hormone is associated with increased risk of hormone-dependent cancers like breast and prostate cancer?
Insulin
Estrogen
Adrenaline
Thyroxine
Explanation - Excess estrogen exposure can promote proliferation of hormone-sensitive cells, increasing cancer risk.
Correct answer is: Estrogen
Q.10 The hallmark of cancer that allows tumors to develop their own blood supply is called:
Metastasis
Angiogenesis
Apoptosis
Differentiation
Explanation - Tumors release growth factors that stimulate new blood vessel formation to support their growth.
Correct answer is: Angiogenesis
Q.11 Which type of chemical in food is most likely to be carcinogenic?
Antioxidants
Nitrosamines
Vitamins
Fiber
Explanation - Nitrosamines, found in processed meats and preserved foods, are potent chemical carcinogens.
Correct answer is: Nitrosamines
Q.12 Which cellular component is primarily affected by carcinogens leading to cancer development?
Mitochondria
DNA
Ribosome
Lysosome
Explanation - Carcinogens cause mutations in DNA that can activate oncogenes or inactivate tumor suppressor genes.
Correct answer is: DNA
Q.13 Which of the following is an example of a tumor suppressor gene?
p53
HER2
KRAS
MYC
Explanation - The p53 gene regulates cell cycle and apoptosis; its inactivation can lead to uncontrolled cell growth.
Correct answer is: p53
Q.14 Which carcinogen is linked to liver cancer?
Aflatoxin
Arsenic
Benzene
Formaldehyde
Explanation - Aflatoxins, produced by Aspergillus species on contaminated food, are potent hepatocarcinogens.
Correct answer is: Aflatoxin
Q.15 Which of the following is NOT a characteristic feature of cancer cells?
Uncontrolled proliferation
Loss of apoptosis
Increased differentiation
Angiogenesis
Explanation - Cancer cells typically show decreased differentiation (anaplasia) and lose normal cell function.
Correct answer is: Increased differentiation
Q.16 Which dietary habit is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer?
High red meat consumption
High fruit and vegetable intake
Low-fat diet
Regular water intake
Explanation - Consumption of processed and red meats has been linked to colorectal cancer due to formation of carcinogenic compounds.
Correct answer is: High red meat consumption
Q.17 Which form of radiation is most strongly associated with thyroid cancer?
X-rays
Gamma rays
UV rays
Radioactive iodine exposure
Explanation - Exposure to radioactive iodine, especially in childhood, can damage thyroid DNA and increase cancer risk.
Correct answer is: Radioactive iodine exposure
Q.18 What is the role of telomerase in cancer cells?
Shortens telomeres
Maintains telomere length
Induces apoptosis
Promotes differentiation
Explanation - Cancer cells often activate telomerase to maintain telomere length, allowing unlimited replication.
Correct answer is: Maintains telomere length
Q.19 Which of the following bacterial infections is associated with stomach cancer?
Helicobacter pylori
Escherichia coli
Staphylococcus aureus
Salmonella enterica
Explanation - Chronic infection with H. pylori causes inflammation and increases risk of gastric adenocarcinoma.
Correct answer is: Helicobacter pylori
Q.20 Which process describes the spread of cancer from one organ to another?
Angiogenesis
Metastasis
Carcinogenesis
Differentiation
Explanation - Metastasis is the movement of cancer cells from the primary site to distant organs, forming secondary tumors.
Correct answer is: Metastasis
Q.21 Which dietary component is protective against cancer due to antioxidant properties?
Vitamin C
Trans fats
Refined sugars
Nitrites
Explanation - Vitamin C and other antioxidants can neutralize free radicals, reducing DNA damage and cancer risk.
Correct answer is: Vitamin C
Q.22 Which hallmark of cancer allows tumor cells to evade immune detection?
Immune evasion
Differentiation
Apoptosis
Angiogenesis
Explanation - Cancer cells can evade immune surveillance through mechanisms such as reducing antigen presentation.
Correct answer is: Immune evasion
Q.23 Which oncogenic virus is linked to Burkitt lymphoma?
Epstein-Barr virus
Hepatitis C virus
HPV
HIV
Explanation - EBV infects B cells and can drive uncontrolled proliferation, contributing to Burkitt lymphoma.
Correct answer is: Epstein-Barr virus
Q.24 Which factor contributes to the progression of cancer by promoting genetic instability?
Defective DNA repair
Exercise
High-fiber diet
Adequate sleep
Explanation - Cells with defective DNA repair accumulate mutations more rapidly, promoting cancer development.
Correct answer is: Defective DNA repair
Q.25 Which lifestyle factor is strongly associated with increased risk of multiple types of cancer?
Smoking
Daily meditation
Regular exercise
Balanced diet
Explanation - Smoking exposes cells to numerous carcinogens, increasing risk of lung, oral, and other cancers.
Correct answer is: Smoking