What do tumor suppressor genes do?

Tumor suppressor genes play a crucial role in regulating cell division and maintaining genomic stability. Their primary function is to promote apoptosis, which is the programmed cell death that eliminates cells with damaged DNA or abnormalities that could lead to cancer. By doing so, these genes help prevent uncontrolled cell division, a hallmark of cancerous growth. When tumor suppressor genes are functioning properly, they act as a safety mechanism to ensure that potentially harmful cells do not proliferate.

For example, the well-known tumor suppressor gene p53 is often referred to as the "guardian of the genome" because it helps to prevent the development of tumors by activating repair pathways for damaged DNA or triggering apoptosis if the damage is irreparable.

The other options do not accurately describe the role of tumor suppressor genes. Stimulating cell growth is a function typically associated with oncogenes, which can promote cancer when mutated or overexpressed. Enhancing the effectiveness of oncogenes does not align with the protective role of tumor suppressor genes, which counteract excessive growth signals. Lastly, while cell membrane integrity is vital for cellular health, repairing damaged cell membranes is not a primary function of tumor suppressor genes. Thus, the key aspect of their role lies in promoting apoptosis and