What is the role of oncogenes in cancer development?

Oncogenes play a crucial role in cancer development by promoting cell growth and division. These genes, when mutated or abnormally expressed, can lead to uncontrolled proliferation of cells, which is a hallmark of cancer. Essentially, oncogenes are derived from normal genes known as proto-oncogenes, which are involved in the regulation of normal cell growth and division. When these proto-oncogenes undergo mutations, they become oncogenes that can drive the transformation of normal cells into cancerous cells.

In the context of cancer, the activation of oncogenes often leads to signaling pathways that encourage cells to bypass the normal regulatory mechanisms that control the cell cycle. This results in increased cell division and growth, contributing to tumor formation and progression. Understanding the function of oncogenes highlights their potential as targets for cancer therapies, as inhibiting their action could help to slow or stop tumor growth.

The other options describe functions or effects that are not characteristic of oncogenes. For example, some genes are involved in repairing DNA damage or regulating cell division in a manner that prevents tumor growth, but those functions are typically associated with tumor suppressor genes rather than oncogenes.