Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) Practice Exam

What does oncogenicity refer to?

1. The potential to cause allergic reactions

2. The potential to cause cancer

3. The potential to cause tumors

4. The potential to cause genetic mutations

The correct answer is: The potential to cause tumors

Oncogenicity specifically refers to the potential of a substance, such as a virus or chemical, to cause cancer. While the concept of causing tumors might seem related, oncogenicity is more precisely linked to the mechanism by which such agents can lead to malignant transformations within cells, ultimately resulting in cancer. It encompasses not just the formation of benign or malignant tumors but also the underlying processes that characterize cancer development, including uncontrolled cell division and alterations to cellular regulatory mechanisms. The terms used in the other choices can often overlap with oncogenicity, but they do not capture the full essence of what oncogenicity entails. For instance, allergic reactions relate to immune responses, genetic mutations refer to changes in the DNA that might or might not lead to cancer, and while tumors are a result of such processes, they do not specifically denote malignancy or the oncogenic process itself. Thus, oncogenicity is rightly associated with its capacity to induce cancer directly rather than simply causing tumors or related effects.