Skip to main content
Toggle User Menu

HHMI BioInteractive

  • Español
  • Search
  • Log In/Create Account
  • Classroom Resources
  • Planning Tools
  • Professional Development
  • About Us

Role of p53 in the Cell Cycle

Chart from the paper
Topic
  • Cell Biology
  • Cell Cycle
  • Science Practices
  • Graph Interpretation
Resource Type
  • Activities
  • Data Points
Level
High School — AP/IBCollege
Used In
1 BioInteractive Playlists
Favorited By
15 Users
Share This
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.
     
Details
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

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 12.18.17
Date Updated 12.11.18
Curriculum Connections
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 (2013)

III.B.3

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

Explore Related Content

Other Resources About p53
Showing of
Click & Learn
The p53 Gene and Cancer
Other Related Resources
Showing of
Animations
Cancer and Cell Fate in the Intestinal Epithelium
Animations
Recombination of the Y Chromosome
Animations
Meiosis
Phenomenal Images
Cancer Cell Invasion
Animations
How Tumors Grow
Clips
Mutations in Cancer
Card Activities
Classifying Cancer Genes and Examining Patient Data
Illustration of the phases of the cell cycle
Click & Learn
The Eukaryotic Cell Cycle and Cancer
Phenomenal Images
Synchronized Division
Data Points
Efficacy of a Medication for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
This Resource Appears in the Following Playlists
Showing of
hhmi-card
Teaching Cell Biology and Genetics Using Cancer
6 Resources
By: BioInteractive

HHMI BioInteractive

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Newsletter Signup
  • HHMI.org
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy