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The Eukaryotic Cell Cycle and Cancer

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Illustration of the phases of the cell cycle

Topic

  • Genetics
  • Genetic Disease
  • Cell Biology
  • Cell Cycle
  • Cell Communication

Resource Type

  • Interactive Media
  • Click & Learn

Level

High School — GeneralHigh School — AP/IBCollege
Used In
1 BioInteractive Playlists
Saved By
298 Users
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Description

This interactive module explores the phases, checkpoints, and protein regulators of the cell cycle. The module also shows how mutations in genes that encode cell cycle regulators can lead to the development of cancer.

Students can toggle between two different views of the cell cycle by pressing the text in the center of the graphic. The “Cell Cycle Phases” view describes the cell cycle phases and checkpoints, and includes illustrations of the cell’s chromosomes. This view is appropriate for all levels of high school biology. The “Cell Cycle Regulators and Cancer” view explains the protein regulators, their roles in cell cycle progression, and how mutated versions can lead to cancer. This view may be more appropriate for AP/IB Biology and introductory college biology.

The accompanying worksheets guide students’ exploration. The “Overview Worksheet” is intended to provide an introduction to the cell cycle as it relates to cancer. For a more comprehensive review of the cell cycle and the molecules that regulate each phase, use the “In-Depth Worksheet.”

The “Resource Google Folder” link directs to a Google Drive folder of resource documents in the Google Docs format. Not all downloadable documents for the resource may be available in this format. The Google Drive folder is set as “View Only”; to save a copy of a document in this folder to your Google Drive, open that document, then select File → “Make a copy.” These documents can be copied, modified, and distributed online following the Terms of Use listed in the “Details” section below, including crediting BioInteractive.

Student Learning Targets

  • Explain the importance of mitosis and cell death during development, growth, and repair of the human body.
  • Describe the phases of the cell cycle and what happens in each phase.
  • Explain the relationship between cancer and the cell cycle.
     

Estimated Time

One to two 50-minute class periods, depending on the amount of in-class discussion and which worksheet students will be using.

Key Terms

anaphase-promoting complex (APC/C), cell division, checkpoint, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK), gap phase, mitosis, oncogene, p53, synthesis phase, tumor suppressor

Terms of Use

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

Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)

PDF files meet criteria. Spanish files partially meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 11.21.14
Date Updated 09.03.21

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS1-4, HS-LS3-2; SEP2, SEP6

AP Biology (2019)

IST-1.B, IST-1.D, IST-1.E, IST-3.F, IST-3.G; SP1, SP2, SP6

IB Biology (2016)

1.5, 1.6

Common Core (2010)

ELA.RST.9–12.9

Vision and Change (2009)

CC2; DP1, DP3

Materials

Resource Google Folder (Link)
Overview Worksheet (PDF) 398 KB
In-Depth Worksheet (PDF) 503 KB
Overview Worksheet - Español (PDF) 305 KB
In-Depth Worksheet - Español (PDF) 405 KB
Desktop App - macOS 10.10 or later, 64-bit (ZIP) 161 MB
Desktop App - Windows 7 or later, 64-bit (ZIP) 161 MB
Spanish Android App (Link) 89 MB

Educator Tips

Hear how educators are using BioInteractive content in their teaching.
Educator standing in front of a cell cycle diagram. Play Video Next Slide Next Slide
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1-Minute Tips

The Eukaryotic Cell Cycle and Cancer

Mark Randa describes how he uses BioInteractive's cell cycle Click & Learn with his college students to introduce the topic of cell birth and death, explain how the cell cycle proceeds, and show how cancer results when key regulation steps break down.
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This Resource Appears in the Following Playlists

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Teaching Cell Biology and Genetics Using Cancer
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