Question

which recent discovery led to a new understanding of how genetic mutations increase the risk of cancer?
double helix structure of dna
brca1 and brca2 genes
nucleic acid monomers
formation of tumor suppressor proteins

Explanation:

• The double helix structure of DNA was discovered in 1953. While fundamental to genetics, it is not a recent discovery related to cancer - risk from genetic mutations.
• Nucleic acid monomers (nucleotides) are basic units of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). Knowledge of them is not a recent discovery for understanding cancer - risk from genetic mutations.
• Tumor suppressor proteins have been studied for a long time. The formation of these proteins is a general concept in cancer biology, not a recent discovery in the context of the question.
• BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes were discovered in the 1990s. Mutations in these genes are associated with an increased risk of breast, ovarian, and other cancers. This discovery has led to a new understanding of how specific genetic mutations increase cancer risk.

Answer:

BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes