Question

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

Explanation:

The discovery of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes has been crucial in understanding how genetic mutations increase cancer risk. These genes are tumor - suppressor genes. Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (especially in women) are associated with a significantly higher risk of breast and ovarian cancers. The double - helix structure of DNA was discovered in 1953 and while fundamental to genetics, it is not a "recent" discovery in the context of this question. Nucleic acid monomers are basic units of nucleic acids (like DNA and RNA) and their knowledge does not directly address the question about genetic mutations and cancer risk. The formation of tumor - suppressor proteins is a general concept, but the specific identification of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (which code for important tumor - suppressor proteins) is a more recent and specific discovery related to the increased risk of cancer due to genetic mutations.

Answer:

BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes