Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) Practice Exam

What is carcinogenicity?

1. The potential to cause tumors

2. The potential to cause cancer

3. The potential to cause birth defects

4. The potential to cause irritation

The correct answer is: The potential to cause cancer

Carcinogenicity refers to the ability of a substance to induce cancer in living tissue. This definition encompasses a much broader idea than merely causing tumors, as not all tumors are cancerous (for instance, benign tumors). Carcinogens can promote the development and growth of malignant tumors that invade adjacent tissues and spread to other parts of the body. The term specifically implies the connection to cancer, which includes various types of neoplasia characterized by uncontrolled cell growth. This process often involves genetic mutations and alterations in cellular mechanisms that regulate growth and division. Because of this fundamental link to cancer, defining carcinogenicity as the potential to cause cancer captures the essence of the term accurately and comprehensively.