Scribd
Upload
2 views

2 Cells and Cell Division Module Review

The document outlines a review activity focused on the molecular, cellular, and genetic basis of mouse coat color, specifically examining the MC1R molecule and its role in melanocytes. It also compares cardiac myocytes and hepatocytes in terms of mitochondria content and discusses experimental designs to test hypotheses related to retinoblastoma and cell cycle control. Additionally, it includes tasks related to Drosophila melanogaster meiosis and human genetic disorders.

Uploaded by

Lilian
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
2 views

2 Cells and Cell Division Module Review

The document outlines a review activity focused on the molecular, cellular, and genetic basis of mouse coat color, specifically examining the MC1R molecule and its role in melanocytes. It also compares cardiac myocytes and hepatocytes in terms of mitochondria content and discusses experimental designs to test hypotheses related to retinoblastoma and cell cycle control. Additionally, it includes tasks related to Drosophila melanogaster meiosis and human genetic disorders.

Uploaded by

Lilian
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 7

Module 2: Cells and Division

Review Activity

During module 4 on evolution, we will spend several classes examining the evolutionary significance of
fur colour in a certain group of mice from the Sonoran desert in the South-Western United States. To prepare
for this module, in the review activities for the first 3 modules we will be examining the molecular, cellular,
and genetic basis for mouse coat colour.
In the review activity for unit 1, you examined the MC1R molecule displayed above. MC1R is a
transmembrane receptor protein involved in a typical cell communication pathway. What organelles in the
cell could conceivably play a role in producing the MC1R molecule and directing it to the appropriate
location within the membrane of the cell? For each organelle you list, describe what it would actually do.
Use information on three different types of cells from the following paragraphs and images
in order to answer the subsequent questions.

MC1R is found in the cell membrane of melanocytes, which are cells located in the bottom layer
of the skin's epidermis, as well as several other locations in the body. The primary function of
melanocytes is to produce the pigment melanin (a molecule based on the amino acid tyrosine, but
which is NOT a protein), which they package in vesicles called melanosomes. These vesicles are
then exported out of the melanocyte and into surrounding cells called keratinocytes, which
eventually move from the lower part of the skin to the surface, resulting in pigment deposition near
the skin’s surface.
Below is an image of a cardiac myocyte, which is a heart muscle cell. These cells exhibit striations formed
by alternating segments of thick and thin protein filaments, and their primary function is to move these
filaments against each other to contract and relax (or expand) the shape of the cell.
Below is an image of a hepatocyte, which is a liver cell. Among many other things, liver cells
function in the detoxification of waste products, drugs, and hormones.
Based on the functions of the three types of cells described in the preceding paragraphs (i.e., only
consider the drug detox function for liver, and not the many other functions of liver cells), compare
and contrast melanocytes, myocytes, and hepatocytes in terms of their organelle constituents. What
types of organelles are melanocytes likely to have more of, and why? What about myocytes and
hepatocytes?

A curious scientist decided to compare cardiac myocytes and hepatocytes to see which contained
more mitochondria per unit volume. After controlling for size (hepatocytes are cuboidal with
sides around 30 micrometers, while cardiac myocytes are tubular with lengths around 150
micrometers and diameters of 20 micrometers), the researcher produced the following results:

Hepatocyte:
Mean mitochondria: 0.325 mitchondria/m3
95% CI: 0.014

Myocyte:
Mean mitochondria: 0.346 mitchondria/m3
95% CI: 0.008

How would you statistically analyze these data? Which statistical test should you use, what kind
of output would you expect, and what would you report in a paper?

How would you graphically represent these data? Draw a graph of what you present in a paper.

Suppose you performed the statistical test you indicated in the previous question and obtained a
p-value of 0.16. What conclusions can you draw from this result?
You are a cancer researcher who focuses on a specific type of eye cancer called retinoblastoma.
From your years of research, you have a hypothesis that the retinal cancer cells may be dividing
uncontrollably because they lack certain cell cycle control molecules that regular retinal cells
possess. You now have technology which makes it possible to fuse two cells together to mix their
cytoplasm, and these newly created ‘double cells’ remain viable long enough to identify changes
in the nuclei associated with moving into a different stage of the cell cycle.
Armed with this technology, and with cultures of both rapidly dividing retinal cancer cells and
slowly dividing (or essentially not dividing) normal retinal cells, design an experiment which could
allow you to test your hypothesis.
Experimental design:

Independent variable:

Dependent variable:

Control variables (at least 2):

The hypothesis presented above suggests that a specific molecule in the cell should prevent the
cell from progressing through the cell cycle. In this particular example, such a molecule does
indeed exist, and it is called pRb, which stands for ‘retinoblastoma protein’. When this molecule
is present (and activated), a retinal cell will not proceed from G1 into the S phase. Employing
basic Biology language encountered in this course, describe what pRb is, what it does, and how
this particular molecule could be responsible for the results described above.

Using the internet, find n for Drosophila melanogaster and identify whether the species is haploid
or diploid. Then, draw a primary spermatocyte cell for this species that is in late prophase I of
meiosis I.

Make a rough sketch (i.e., just focus on the chromosomes) of all possible genetic gametes that
could be produced by a Drosophila spermatocyte cell you just drew.

Which property of meiosis accounts for the production of the different potential gametes you just
drew?
Use the internet to research and describe the following human disorders. For each, be sure to
identify the process which leads to the disorder.
Edward’s Syndrome:
Klinefelter’s Syndrome:
Turner’s Syndrome:

You might also like