Cell Cycle & Cancer

Webquest

The human body is made up of trillions of cells that continually grow, reproduce, and die. How do our bodies make more cells? And, what does this process have to do with cancer? In today’s webquest you will investigate the answers to these questions as you learn about the highly-controlled and complex process that our cells regularly undergo and what happens when this goes awry.

THE CELL CYCLE

The cell cycle is a highly regulated process that our cells undergo to continually produce new cells. You will visit two sites to learn more about the cell cycle and its processes.

Visit: Cycle/index.html

Watch the video clip and complete the following information.

What are the stages of the cell cycle?

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Where do the checkpoints occur during the cell cycle?______

What decision is made during the first check point?

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What is assessed during the second checkpoint? Why is it important that your cells make this assessment? ______
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Do you think the last checkpoint of the cell cycle is necessary? Why or why not?______

What molecules help regulate and coordinate the cell cycle?______

At this point, we have seen how the cells in our body replicate.

VISIT:

While waiting to enter the simulation and tutorial, you can click on the cells to cause them to divide.

Not all cells divide with the same frequency. In table below, list what types of cells you would expect to divide more frequently, as well as, those that you think would divide less often. (*HINT* Think about how much wear and tear the various organs and parts of your body have to help determine frequency of division)

More Frequent Divisions / Less Frequent Divisions

What triggers new cells to be made? (Notes and Crash Course)______

What happens during a normal cell cycle?______

You’ve identified the molecules that control and coordinate the cell cycle. What specific functions do they have? ______

ENTER THE SIMULATION/GAME

At the Gap 1(G1) phase of the cell cycle, the CDK and cyclin molecules perform two checkpoints. What do they check at these checkpoints?______

What is the main function of the Synthesis (S) phase of the cell cycle?______

What happens during the Gap 2 (G2) phase of the cell cycle?______

During the 2nd checkpoint, there are three specific things that cyclin and CDK molecules check before proceeding. What are they?______

Based on how the simulation shows mutations, how would you define them?______

What are some characteristics of mutation?______

What triggers a normal cell to become cancerous?______

CANCER

Mutations in normal, healthy cells can cause the cell to become cancerous. A cancerous cell uncontrollably proliferates (multiplies), invades healthy tissues and spreads to other organs. This is called METASTASIS. However, mutations are not the only trigger for cancerous cell production.

VISIT:

Briefly read over the three types of cancer genes. Write their names into the chart on the NEXT PAGE.

Now, click on the “Watch Dr. Vogelstein discuss these three types of genes” link to learn about them in more detail.

Pay close attention to how Dr. Vogelstein describes these genes, and then summarize the role of the each in the space provided in the chart.

Type of Gene
Summary of Gene Function

Up to this point you have seen how our bodies normally produce cells, what can happen when this process spirals out of control, and the specific genes involved. Next, we will learn about how cancerous cells travel throughout the body to affect nearby organs and tissues.

VISIT:

Why do tumors need blood vessels? (*HINT* Think about what blood delivers to our cells)

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What do metastatic cells do and where do they come from?
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Why are malignant (tumors that are metastasizing) more dangerous than benign (tumors that are just growing in one place)tumors?
______

Unfortunately, cancer can be just bad luck when it comes to the genetic lottery that occurred when your mom’s egg and your dad’s sperm combined to make you. However, there is something you can do. You can get tested to see if you have a higher risk of cancer than others.

VISIT:

Explain what hereditary cancer syndrome is.______

Why is it possible to not get cancer even though you may be at a higher risk due to genetic predisposition?______

Why should you get tested for a genetic predisposition for cancer?______

Cancer comes in as many forms as there are locations, organs, and tissue types in the body. You are going to look at two of the most common and then finally you will get to pick a third one that interests you to answer a few questions about.

First stop is what all the pink and save the boobies wristbands are about. Breast Cancer.

VISIT:

According to the website, what is breast cancer?______

What percentage of new cases are female? (# of female cases/total number of new cases) x 100 ______

What percentage of new cases are male?______

What is the percentage of death associated with breast cancer? (Total deaths/Total number of new cases)x100______

How is breast cancer treated?______

How can you prevent breast cancer?______

Now for the men, and the reason why you’re going to be a little uncomfortable around your doctor when he/she says that they need to check for prostate cancer.

VISIT:

According to the website, what is prostate cancer?______

What is the percentage of death associated with prostate cancer? (Total deaths/Total number of new cases)x100 ______

How is prostate cancer treated?______

How can you prevent prostate cancer?______

Time for you to pick a cancer! Woo! Go to the following website:

VISIT:

Pick one type of cancer to answer the following questions:

According to the website, definethe cancer you chose?______

What is the percentage of death associated with this type of cancer? (Total deaths/Total number of new cases)x100 ______

How is this type of cancer treated?______

How can you prevent this type of cancer?______

Why did you pick this type of cancer?

______