Cell Division / Cellular Reproduction

The purpose of this lab is to assist you in learning about cellular division which
includes the cell cycle and mitosis. You will learn how the process is supposed to
take place in normal cells then how the process is altered in cancerous cells.

You will go to the following website: http://glencoe.mcgraw-

hill.com/sites/dl/free/0078757134/383933/BL_23.html

You will follow the instructions and work through the simulation as instructed in the
lab.

As you perform the simulation, you will record your results in the table below (in
another color font).

Once you have completed the lab activity and the table, you will answer the
remaining journal questions below. Please be sure to confer with your textbook and
lecture notes. Please answer all questions in another color font.

Save your file as .doc or .docx and upload it into eCampus in the proper lab section
for grading. Do NOT copy and paste it into the text box on eCampus.

Number of cells in each phase

of cell cycle

% of % of
Interpha Prophas Metapha Anaphas Telophas
cells cells at
se e se e e
dividing rest

Normal
lung 19 1 0 0 0 5 95

Cancerou
s lung 16 0 2 1 1 20 80

Normal
stomach 16 1 1 0 2 20 90

Cancerou
s 14 2 1 1 2 30 65
stomach

Normal
ovary 19 0 0 1 0 5 95

Cancerou
s ovary 12 2 1 2 3 40 60

%cells dividing = PMAT/total cells; % cells at rest = interphase/total cells

Journal Questions:

1. What are the 3 phases that occur during interphase. Explain each stage.

G1(Gap 1), in which the cell grows and functions normally. During this time, a

lot of protein synthesis occurs and the cell grows (to about double its original size) - more

organelles are produced and increasing the volume of the cytoplasm. If the cell is not to

divide again, it will remain in this phase.

Synthesis (S), in which the cell duplicates its DNA (via semi-conservative replication). During S

phase, the centrosome is also duplicated.

G2 (Gap 2), in which the cell resumes its growth in preparation for mitosis.

Additionally some cells which do not divide often or ever, enter a stage called G0 (Gap

zero), which is either a stage separate from interphase or an extended G1 phase which

follows the restriction point, a cell cycle checkpoint found at the end of G1.

The duration of time spent in interphase and in each stage of interphase is variable and depends

on both the type of cell and the species of organism it belongs to. Most cells adults mammals

spend about 20 hours in interphase, this accounts for about 90% of the total time involved in cell

division (1).

2. List 2 distinguishing characteristics of each stage of the cell cycle

(Interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, & telophase).
 During prophase the chromosomes become visible and during prophase, the parent cell

chromosomes which were duplicated during S phase condense and become thousands of

times more compact than they were during interphase.

During metaphase, the centrosomes are at opposite poles of the cell. The chromosomes,

now at their most highly coiled and condensed, become arranged on a plane equidistant from the

two poles called the metaphase plate.

During anaphase replicated chromosomes are split and the daughter chromatids are

moved to opposite poles of the cell.

During telophase, Chromosome sets assemble at opposite poles, a nuclear envelope

reforms around each set, and cytokinesis usually follows.

3. Based on your data and observations, what are some of the differences
between normal cells and cancer cells?

Based on my data and observations, some of the differences between normal cells and cancerous

cells, are that cancerous cells tend to be more in telophase, and that normal cells tend to be more

at rest in telophase.

4. Which type of cancer shows the most aggressive growth? Explain.

Ovarian cancer shows the most aggressive growth. Compared to the other organs, cell

division from normal to cancerous had the highest increase. The cells in ovarian cancer increased

from 15% to 40%, which is a 25% increase. Lung cancer had a 5% increase, and stomach cancer

had a 20% increase of dividing cells when going from normal to cancerous.