Cancer and Cell Fate in the Intestinal Epithelium

This animation shows how disrupting cellular processes in the intestines can lead to colon cancer.

Differentiation and maturation are normal processes in intestinal epithelial cells. When these processes are disrupted by mutations, however, tumors can form. This animation illustrates how a mutation in a gene called APC, which is involved in cellular differentiation, affects the fate of undifferentiated stem cells and results in tumor growth.

Depending on students’ backgrounds, it may be helpful to pause the animation at various points to discuss different cell types and other features.