Cell Division and Cancer Risk

Topic
Resource Type
Level
High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Favorited By
10 Users
Description

This activity guides the analysis of a published scientific figure from a study that investigated how random mutations during cell division can contribute to cancer.

Hereditary and environmental factors explain only a fraction of overall cancer risk. In this study, researchers investigated how a third factor, chance mutations during stem cell division and DNA replication, may contribute to the cancer rates of various body tissues. The figure compares how many times stem cells divide in different tissues with the lifetime risks of developing cancer in those tissues.

The “Educator Materials” document includes a captioned figure, background information, graph interpretation, and discussion questions. The “Student Handout” includes a captioned figure and background information.

Student Learning Targets
  • Analyze and interpret data from a scientific figure. 
  • Describe how cell division can contribute to cancer risk in body tissues.
Details
Estimated Time
Within one 50-minute class period.
Key Terms

carcinoma, correlation, logarithmic scale, mutation, sarcoma, scatter plot, tissue, tumor

Primary Literature

Tomasetti, Cristian, and Bert Vogelstein. “Variation in cancer risk among tissues can be explained by the number of stem cell divisions.” Science 347, 6217 (2015): 78–81. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1260825. 

To access this article, set up a free AAAS account. An annotated version of the article is also available from Science in the Classroom.

Terms of Use

Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.

Accessibility Level

The documents for this resource meet accessibility standards in accordance with the final rule for Section 508 of the National Rehabilitation Act.
Version History
Date Published
Date Updated
Curriculum Connections
NGSS (2013)

HS-LS1-4; SEP2, SEP4, SEP5

AP Biology (2015)

3.A.2, 3.C.2; SP1, SP2, SP5

IB Biology (2016)

1.6, 7.1

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9-12.7
Math.S-ID.3, Math.S-IC.1; MP2, MP5

Vision and Change (2009)

CC2; DP2, DP3

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