Cell Cycle Regulation

How does a cell know it is time to divide?

Why?
Quality control inspectors typically do not limit their product testing to the final product at the end of
the assembly line. They monitor all aspects of production in hopes of preventing larger problems down
the line. Likewise, when cells are progressing through the cell cycle there are processes in place that check
on the cell’s progress. Is everything happening according to plan? Are there sufficient resources to com-
plete the task of cell division? Tightly regulating the cell cycle keeps a multicellular organism healthy
by conserving materials. This ensures that new cells receive accurate genetic information, and also prevents
uncontrolled growth that may lead to diseases like cancer.

Model 1 – The Cell Cycle

G0

G1 G1
Checkpoint

M
Checkpoint
M

G2
Checkpoint G2

1. Review the phases of the cell cycle in Model 1 by placing the abbreviated phase name (G1, S, G2
or M) next to the proper description.
g1
______ The cell grows by producing more proteins and organelles.
______
s DNA replication occurs.
______
g2 The cell prepares for cell division with the appearance of centrosomes.
m
______ Mitosis and cytokinesis occurs.
2. Some cells, like mature nerve cells or muscle cells, do not divide. Other cells will divide only
when the cellular environment signals that it is necessary. According to Model 1, what “phase” of
the cell cycle are these cells said to be in when they are not dividing or planning to divide?

g0

Cell Cycle Regulation 1

 3. There are three regulatory checkpoints built into the cell cycle.
a. Name the three checkpoints as shown on Model 1.
G1, G2, and M

b. Indicate the phase of the cell cycle, and what part of the phase (early or later), where each
checkpoint occurs.

G1 occurs during the later phase of G1.

G2 occurs during the later phase of G2.
M occurs during the later phase of mitosis.

4. Progression through the cell cycle is dependent on both extra- and intracellular conditions.
Consider the following conditions. Indicate which checkpoint(s) most likely responds to that
condition.
a. The DNA has been completely replicated and checked for errors.
G1 checkpoint.

b. There is ample supply of energy and raw materials available.

Both G1 and G2 checkpoints.
c. All chromosomes are attached to the spindles.

M checkpoint.
d. There is adequate room in the environment for more cells.

G1 checkpoint.
5. Which checkpoint appears to regulate whether the cell is in G0 or not?

G1 checkpoint
6. Predict the result of a mutation that allows a cell to move past checkpoint G1 even though the
cell has not grown sufficiently.
they would not survive. The cell is not grown fully therefore it would not
continue to the next checkpoint.

7. Predict the result of a mutation that allows a cell to move past checkpoint G2 even though DNA
replication has not been completed.
would be that they would not survive once again since the replication is not
complete.

8. Predict the result of a mutation that allows a cell to move past checkpoint M even though the
chromosomes were not prepared for division.
would be that they would not end up in the right place and survive.

2 POGIL™ Activities for AP* Biology

Read This!
What determines if a cell is in G0 or going through the cell cycle? What determines a “pass” at a check-
point during the cell cycle? These questions are answered by both intracellular and extracellular chemical
signals. Growth factors are one type of chemical signal. These proteins are released by specialized cells and
trigger cell division. Surface proteins tell cells to stop dividing if the environment gets too crowded and
cells are touching with too much pressure. Enzymes called kinases provide the energy (through phosphory-
lation) for many of the processes that must happen for successful mitosis to occur.

Model 2 – Cyclin and Kinase

Concentration

Interphase Mitosis Interphase Mitosis Interphase

Time

P
Cyclin dependent Cyclin Maturation promoting
kinase (Cdk) factor (MPF)

9. Draw the shape that represents the kinase in Model 2.

Cyclin dependent
kinase (Cdk)
10. Draw the shape that represents cyclin in Model 2.

Cyclin

Cell Cycle Regulation 3

 11. Recall that the purpose of the kinases is to phosphorylate other molecules, thus bringing them
to a higher energy state. With this in mind, identify the three parts of the maturation promoting
factor (MPF) shown in Model 2.

cyclin dependent kinase, cyclin, and phosphate

12. The graph in Model 2 divides the cell cycle into “interphase” and “mitosis.” Which of the phases
of the cell cycle in Model 1 fall into the “interphase” time frame?

G1, S, and, G2 checkpoints.

13. Consider the graph in Model 2.

a. Describe the changes in the concentration of cyclin dependent kinase (Cdk) as the cell moves
through different phases of the cell cycle.

there are no changes in the concentration of cdk as it never varies throughout

the cycle
b. Describe the changes in the concentration of cyclin as the cell moves through different phases
of the cell cycle.

14. Propose an explanation for the change in the maturation promoting factor (MPF) concentration
throughout the cell cycle based on your knowledge of the concentrations of Cdk and cyclin.

15. Can the change in cyclin concentration during mitosis be explained by the fact that the cell
divides in two and thus divides the material in the cell into two smaller volumes? If no, propose
an explanation for the change in concentration that is seen.

16. Considering both Model 1 and Model 2, which checkpoint in the cell cycle is regulated by the
concentration of MPF? Justify your reasoning.

4 POGIL™ Activities for AP* Biology

Read This!
After MPF has done its job of phosphorylation, the cyclin portion of the complex is degraded. This means
that the protein is broken up into parts that can be recycled by the cell. The kinase is not degraded, but
instead used again as the cell goes through another cycle of division.

17. If cyclin was always available in the cell at high concentrations, what effect would this have on
the cell cycle?

18. How might a cell be affected by the development of a degradation-resistant cyclin mutant?
Explain.

Read This!
Cyclin proteins are encoded by a group of genes called proto-oncogenes. Besides cyclins, which function
inside the cell, other proteins made by genes from this group are embedded in the cell membrane and
receive extracellular signals that help to regulate the cell cycle and slow down the differentiation of new
cells. Tumor suppressor genes make up another group of genes that regulate cell division. Genes from
this group produce proteins that signal cells when they are getting too crowded, proteins whose function
is to repair DNA, and still other proteins that regulate apoptosis (pre-programmed cell death). A tumor
suppressor gene called p53 causes apoptosis when the cell is worn out or when defects are detected.

19. At which checkpoint in the cell cycle would a tumor suppressor gene
a. repair DNA function?

b. check for adequate room for more cells?

20. Create an analogy for the function of proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes by assigning
the role of a car’s accelerator and brake pedals to each group. Using your previous knowledge, the
information given above, and information in Model 2, complete the table below.
Regulatory Genes Pedal Justification
Proto-oncogenes

Tumor suppressor
genes

Cell Cycle Regulation 5

Extension Questions
21. Cancer, which can be considered as unregulated cell division, often results from mutations in
proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Usually mutation in more than one gene from
each group is involved. Suggest two or more combinations of mutations that would tend to allow
the cell cycle to become unregulated.

22. Paclitaxel is a chemotherapy drug used to treat a variety of cancers. Paclitaxel inhibits both
assembly and disassembly of microtubules.
a. Which checkpoint in the cell cycle is affected by Paclitaxel?

b. How does this drug inhibit the growth of cancer?

c. Paclitaxel affects not only cancer cells, but normal cells as well. Would the effects of Paclitaxel
be seen first in organs that have quickly dividing cells (like the intestine and hair follicles) or
in organs that have slow or nondividing cells (like muscles and the nervous system). Justify
your reasoning.

6 POGIL™ Activities for AP* Biology