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CellCycleOverview-StudentWS-CL

This document provides an overview of the eukaryotic cell cycle and its relationship to cancer, highlighting the importance of cell division for both single-celled and multicellular organisms. It discusses key concepts such as differentiation, apoptosis, cell cycle regulators, and the consequences of their malfunction, which can lead to conditions like tumors. Additionally, it explains the roles of proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in cancer development.

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thunganle.emily
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14 views

CellCycleOverview-StudentWS-CL

This document provides an overview of the eukaryotic cell cycle and its relationship to cancer, highlighting the importance of cell division for both single-celled and multicellular organisms. It discusses key concepts such as differentiation, apoptosis, cell cycle regulators, and the consequences of their malfunction, which can lead to conditions like tumors. Additionally, it explains the roles of proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in cancer development.

Uploaded by

thunganle.emily
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Eukaryotic Cell Cycle and Cancer

Overview

INTRODUCTION

This handout complements the Click & Learn The Eukaryotic Cell Cycle and Cancer and is intended as a
straightforward introduction to the cell cycle and how it relates to cancer. For a more comprehensive student
handout, please see the in-depth version.

PROCEDURE
Follow the instructions as you proceed through the Click & Learn and answer the questions in the spaces below.

Click on the “Background” tab on the right side. Read the information and watch the videos.
1. Why is cell division important for both single-celled and multicellular organisms?

Cell division is the only way single celled organisms can reproduce, while it helps
multicellular organisms to grow and replace any dead or damaged cells.

2. Why does cell division remain important to an adult organism even after it is fully developed?

Even after growth, cell division is still needed in organs like guts or skin, where cells are
constantly being renewed. Other cells have to divide to help heal and repair wounds or broken
bones.

3. Cells divide, differentiate, or die. What is differentiation?

Once cells finish dividing, they start to focus on structure and functions in a process called differentiation. When
differentiated, certain cells might start diving again under specific conditions.

4. What is apoptosis? What is its purpose?


Apoptosis is the process in which unnecessary cells get eliminated during development or damaged cells in a
mature organism. It is often referred to as “programmed cell death”.

5. What are cell cycle regulators?

Cell regulators are molecular signals that may stimulate or stop cell division, give instructions to cells to
differentiate, or start cell death.

6. What happens if cell cycle regulators don’t function properly?

If cell regulators do not function properly, an organism may end up having too many or too few cells. This causes
problems such as hair loss or the growth of life-threatening tumors.

Click on the purple section labeled “Cell Cycle Phases” as well as the words “Mitosis” and “Interphase” to read

an overview of the cell cycle. You can also click on the various phases.

7. Cells go through periods of growth and division. Cell division occurs during MITOSIS.
The rest of the cell cycle is called interphase, during which (use the blank below to complete the sentence)

Cell Cycle Updated February 2020 www.BioInteractive.org Page 1 of 3

8. Fill in the details about what happens during the three phases of interphase labeled in the diagram.
9. In general, what is the purpose of a checkpoint in the cell cycle?

A checkpoint is to ensure that the cell is healthy and has the correct resources to continue the cell cycle.

10. What is the G0 phase of the cell cycle?


a. Which factors determine whether a cell enters G0?

Factors that determine whether a cell can enter phase G0 are: the stage of development, the type of cell,
and what resources are available to the cell.

b. Can cells leave G0?

Yes, cells can leave the G0 phase.

Click on “Cell Cycle Regulators and Cancer” in the center purple circle. Read the “Regulators Overview” and

then read through the “Cancer Overview” and watch the videos.
11. What are cell cycle regulators?

a. Stimulating proteins are encoded by PROTO-ONCOGENES. Examples include: RAS,


WNT, and MYC.

b. Inhibitory proteins are encoded by TUMOR SUPPRESSOR GENES.


Examples include: RB, p53, and VHL

12. Cancer is the result of an improperly regulated cell cycle. Describe two reasons why cells can form tumors.
Tumors form due to too much cell division or too little death has occurred to the cells.

13. In some types of colon cancer, stem cells have a mutation in the APC gene. What happens if the APC gene is
mutated?

The stem cells will have trouble making it past the final stage of differentiation, from there they start to
cluster up and form a tumor.

14. Normally, proto-oncogenes stimulate the cell cycle. What are oncogenes and how do they affect the cell
cycle?

a. To cause cancer, proto-oncogenes require ONE allele(s) to be mutated and therefore are
considered DOMINANT . The mutation results in a GAIN of function.
15. Normally, tumor suppressor genes inhibit the cell cycle. How do mutated tumor suppressor genes affect the

cell cycle?

a. To cause cancer, tumor suppressor genes require BOTH allele(s) to be mutated and therefore are
considered RECEIVED . The mutation results in a LOSS of function.

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