A nurse is reviewing the results of a patient’s DNA sequencing test, which was performed to diagnose a genetic disorder.
The nurse notices that the patient has a mutation in one of the bases of the DNA. Which of the following is the correct term for this type of mutation?

Genes that regulate cell division can become oncogenes when mutated.

Oncogenes are mutated genes that can contribute to the development of cancer.

In their non-mutated state, everyone has genes which are referred to as proto-oncogenes.

When proto-oncogenes are mutated or increased in numbers due to DNA damage, the proteins produced by these genes can affect the growth, proliferation, and survival of the cell, and potentially result in the formation of a malignant tumor.

Choice A is incorrect because mutations in oncogenes do not always result in the inhibition of cell division.

Instead, they can contribute to the development of cancer by affecting cell growth.

Choice B is incorrect because oncogenes are not only found in human cells but can be present in other organisms as well.

Choice C is incorrect because genes that regulate cell division can be found in viruses.

Natural killer (NK) cells are large granular lymphocytes that are capable of destroying cells infected by viruses or bacteria and susceptible tumor cells without prior sensitization and restriction by MHC antigens.

Helper T cells (choice A) are a type of white blood cell that helps other immune cells respond to infections but do not directly kill infected or tumor cells.

B cells (choice B) are a type of white blood cell that produces antibodies to fight infections but do not directly kill infected or tumor cells.

Cytotoxic T cells (choice D) are a type of white blood cell that can kill infected or tumor cells but require prior sensitization to do so.