chromosome 17

Death:
This chapter basically speaks of cancer. It explains to us that cells reproduce themselves at the wrong time. when cells are not stopped from reproducing incorrectly they produce cancer.A gene called TP53, on the short arm of chromosome 17, it is known as a tumor-suppressor gene. This genes are the opposite of oncogenes, which are genes that encourage cell growth. Oncogenes can cause cancer when they are doing work and tumor supressor genes can allow cancer to happen if they are not working. Detecting cancer early is important so we can prevent the cancer from spreading. Ridley explains that in various types of cancers TP53 is mutated very early, which is why chemotherapy and radiation therapy does not always work effectively in late stages of the disease. The chapter is named death for the reason that cancer is so deadly. The accumulation of cancer cells can create tumors over time and since there is no specific effective cure for cancer, it is critical that it is detected as early as possible.