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Role of p53 in the Cell Cycle

Chart from the paper

Topic

  • Cell Biology
  • Cell Cycle
  • Math & Computational Skills
  • Graph Interpretation

Resource Type

  • Activities
  • Data Points

Level

High School — AP/IBCollege
Used In
1 BioInteractive Playlists
Saved By
23 Users
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View in Spanish

Description

This activity analyzes a published scientific figure from a study that investigated the role of p53 in cell cycle regulation.

In this study, scientists genetically engineered cell lines with disrupted alleles of the p53 gene. The scientists exposed the cell lines to DNA-damaging gamma (γ) radiation, then observed the proportion of cells that entered mitosis (cell division). The figure shows the mitotic index (proportion of cells undergoing mitosis at a given time) for each cell line. The shaded squares represent cells with two normal alleles of the p53 gene. The half-shaded squares represent cells with one normal and one disrupted allele of the p53 gene. The unshaded squares represent cells in which both alleles of the p53 gene were disrupted. 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 the role of p53 in the cell cycle.
     

Estimated Time

Within one 50-minute class period.

Key Terms

allele, cancer, gene knockout, genetic engineering, line graph, mitosis, tumor suppressor

Primary Literature

Bunz, F., A. Dutriaux, C. Lengauer, T. Waldman, S. Zhou, J. P. Brown, J. M. Sedivy, W. Kinzler, B. Vogelstein. "Requirement for p53 and p21 to Sustain G2 Arrest after DNA Damage." Science 282, 5393 (1998): 1497–1501. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.282.5393.1497.

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 (WCAG compliance)

PDF files meet criteria.

Version History

Date Published 12.18.17
Date Updated 12.11.18

NGSS (2013)

HS-LS1-4; SEP2, SEP4, SEP5

AP Biology (2019)

IST-1.B, IST-1.D, IST-1.E; SP1, SP4

IB Biology (2016)

1.6

AP Environmental Science (2020)

Topic(s): 9.1
Learning Objectives & Practices: STB-4.A

Common Core (2010)

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

Vision and Change (2009)

CC5; DP2, DP3

Materials

Educator Materials (PDF) 382 KB
Student Handout (PDF) 335 KB
Educator Materials - Español (PDF) 340 KB
Student Handout - Español (PDF) 272 KB

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This Resource Appears in the Following Playlists

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