Subject: GENERAL BIOLOGY 1 Student No: ____

Name: ____________________ Grade & Section: ________

Subject Teacher: IRENE BELLE D. LESIGUES Date: _________________

TANAUAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

LAS-GENERAL BIOLOGY 1 Week 3
CELL CYCLE
I. Learning Target:
Describe some cell modifications that lead to adaptation to carry out specialized functions.
(STEM_11/12-ld-f-6)
Characterize the phases of the cell cycle and their control points. STEM_11/12-ld-f-7)
II. Specific Learning Targets:
Define key terms and describe cell modifications that lead to adaptation to carry out specialized
functions.
Identify the phases of cell cycle and their control points.

III. Concept Notes:

In this lesson, the discussion is still about the cell but no longer about the
organelles in it but how it multiplies, repairs and
somehow, malfunctions. Cells are so tiny, but they
serve a huge role in every organisms' body.

The Cell Cycle (Zifan, 2016, figure 1)

This image shows the events in the cell cycle:
Interphase and Mitotic phase. Each of the
mentioned phases have substages and it will be
discussed in this chapter.
INTERPHASE
Interphase is the longest event in the cell cycle,
specifically in the S phase where the DNA must be
copied. The growth of the cell physically, duplication
of the organelles, packing enough nutrients for the new daughter cells, are some of the
important events in this phase. It has three (3) substages namely: First Gap,
Synthesis phase and Second Gap.
First Gap - also known as G1 phase. It is in this phase where the cell is quite active at
biochemical level. The cell grows larger, duplicates the organelles, and makes the
molecular building blocks needed for the succeeding steps.
Synthesis phase - or the S phase. As mentioned above, this phase takes a lot of time
because of the complexity of replicating the genetic material. And from the name
implies, this is where the DNA replication occurs. Duplication of centrosomes happens
here as well as it is needed in the separation of chromosomes in M phase.
Second Gap - known as the G2 phase. In this stage, the cell grows continuously, fills
up the loss energy during the S phase, making more proteins, continuously
duplicating the organelles and completing the preparations for the mitotic phase.
In summary, interphase is all about the preparation of the cell for the successful cell
division. If anything goes wrong during the process, we don't have to worry as they
have a built-in control system that could either halt the cycle, if the problem can't be
solved or repair it so that the cell can continue to divide.

CELL CYCLE CONTROL SYSTEM

It’s amazing how cells know when to divide, when to stop the division or when to
synthesize. It is well orchestrated because of the timing and sequence of events. You
have learned in the previous lessons that the cell has different organelles, chemicals
and other components that serve a specific role inside. Among these is a set of
molecules that triggers and
coordinates important
events in the cell cycle --
they are the cell cycle
control system. This control
system is also responsible in
the regulation of certain
checkpoints in the cell cycle.
Why is there a need for
checkpoints? What does it
do? From the name itself, it
implies that this area is
where stop and go-ahead
signals happen. This is
where the continuity of the
cycle depends; if it will be
paused to wait, if it will be
stopped at all or if it will go
through the next step. In animal cells, different signals are found during the cycle
since they have their own built-in stop signals that cease the cell cycle at the
checkpoints until it receives a go-ahead signal from the report of other signaling
molecules.

There are three (3) major checkpoints during the cell cycle and they are found in
G1, G2 and M phases. Let's discuss each checkpoint.
The Cell Cycle with Checkpoints (n.a., 2016, figure 2)
The first checkpoint in the cell cycle is found on the latter events of the First Gap. This
checkpoint is also called the Restriction point. This is where they ensure that the cell
size is large enough to divide, and to check if the nutrients and proteins reserves are
enough for the daughter cells.
What would happen if the size is too small or if it has reserve enough only for itself?
Then, it would go to G0 or the Gap 0. Gap 0 is also called as the resting phase where
cells that would not undergo cell division rest and could either wait for a signal for
them to divide or just stay there to preserve its physiologic function.
If the cell has all the requirements, then it can proceed with the next stage which is
the synthesis phase.
The next checkpoint happens in the Second Gap. This event ensures that the DNA
have been accurately replicated without mistake or damage. If it detects a problem,
the cell will either complete the replication or repair the damaged DNA. When they see
no issue, then the cell will proceed to the nuclear division.
The last checkpoint is the Metaphase checkpoint where it ensures that the
chromosomes are attached to the spindle microtubules. When there is loose
connection on the spindle microtubule, it will stop the process. Why? The succeeding
stage, anaphase, is irreversible, which will result to halted process of the cycle if
problem on this checkpoint arises. However, if the chromosomes are firmly attached to
mitotic spindle, the cell will proceed to the next stage, the telophase stage.
Those are the reasons why cells take a lot of time in preparing. Cells allot time to
repair or complete the specific event just to make sure that the whole cell cycle will be
perfectly executed.

Who are responsible in these checkpoints?

In cell cycle, we should not just focus on the phases and processes but let us also
look what's behind these successful events. The control system of the cell cycle is very
vital as it is responsible in the success of the whole cycle. These control systems
include the checkpoints, the cyclins, the cyclin-dependent kinases and p53. We
already know what happens to checkpoints, but what triggers it? This is where these
two main families of proteins come in: cyclin and cyclin-dependent kinases. These two
proteins send signals to the cell when it is ready to go on the next step. Another factor
is also visible in the control system and serve a major role, it’s the p53 or also known
as the tumor suppressor gene. Let us discover more of their roles.
p53 (Tumor Suppressor Gene)
From the name itself, this gene is responsible in suppressing tumors. Some say
that it is “the guardian of the genome” since it prevents gene mutation (Bioinformatics
n.d). How does this gene work? In normal cell cycle, p53 level is low but damage in
DNA and other stress signals cause it to increase. p53 serves three main functions
such as growth arrest, DNA repair and apoptosis (cell death).
If there is a damage in DNA (might be caused by heat, radiation or chemicals), the cell
division would stop and the normal p53 would trigger enzymes to repair the damaged
DNA. Once the DNA is repaired, the p53 would allow the cell division to continue.
However, if the damage is beyond repair, p53 would trigger the destruction of the cell
(apoptosis). If the p53 failed to these functions, there would arise the cancer cells.

Kinases
Let us get to know first the kinases. Kinases are enzymes that combine phosphate
groups to other molecules like sugars and proteins. This reaction may cause the
molecules to either become active or inactive. In this module, kinases serve a major
role in the control system as regulators. With the help of a cyclin (one of the most
important core cell cycle regulators) the kinase can turn into an active enzyme that
can modify target proteins.
The Cell Cycle with cyclins and Cdks (CNX OpenStax, 2016, figure 3)
Cyclins and Cyclin-Dependent Kinases
Let us now discuss more about the biological regulators of the cell cycle. Keep in
mind that controlling the cell cycle is necessary for a lot of reasons. One is, if not done
properly, a cell would continuously divide though it is not needed (i.e. cancer cells. As
mentioned above, there are proteins that interact to regulate the cell cycle: cyclins
and cyclin-dependent kinases.
Cyclins
Cyclins are called such because they undergo a constant cycle of synthesis and
degradation during cell division. It serves an activating protein that bind to a kinase to
form Cdk complex. When the time comes that it detaches to the Cdk complex (which
happens during anaphase), the kinase will go inactive, but still found around the cell,
and will wait for another cyclin to bind.
Cyclin-Dependent Kinases
Cdks are kinases which either activates or deactivates another protein through
phosphorylating them. It gives the ‘stop’ and ‘go’ signal at the Gap 1 and Gap 2
checkpoints.

IV. EXERCISES:

ACTIVITIES 1 and 2: Identifying and Sequencing of Events

DIRECTIONS:

Arrange and explain the series of events happening in the cell cycle. Write #1 if it comes first, #2 if
it comes second and so on. Write your answers in your notebook.
Direction: In a separate paper, copy this table and write the events you remember for each phase.

Prepared: Reviewed:

IRENE BELLE D. LESIGUES, LPT CLARESA M. CAÑEDA, MPH

SHS TEACHER Master Teacher ll

Noted: Recommending Approval:

GEMMA A. CO LORLITA S. RICABLANCA, DM

Science Dept Head Designate Assistant SHS Principal II

Approved:

MICHAEL A. REGIS, CE, MM, MAT

Principal IV