Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region V – Bicol
Schools Division of Legazpi City
BANQUEROHAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Banquerohan, Legazpi City
___________________________________________________________________________
LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET
GENERAL BIOLOGY 1

Name of Student: ______________________________________________ Grade and Section: ______________________________________

Reference Module: Q1- Module 3: CELL CYCLE AND THEIR CONTROL POINTS Date Accomplished: _____________

I. Introductory Concept
This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you master the cell at the
basic structural and functional unit of life. Namely in learning the cell cycle together with its phases and their
control points.

II. Learning Skills from the Curriculum Guide

Quarter Most Essential Learning Competencies K to 12 CG Codes

a. Characterize the phases of the cell cycle and

First STEM_BIO11/12-Id-f-6
their control points

EXPECTATIONS:
The learners should be able to demonstrate understanding of the following competencies:
1. define cell cycle and checkpoints;
2. discuss the phases of cell cycle and its checkpoint; and
3. show the role of cell cycle in cell growth and cancer cell formation.

III. DISCUSSION
A. CELL CYCLE
One of the basic characteristics of all living organisms is the ability to reproduce. It is either asexually in
unicellular organisms or sexually in multicellular organism. Sexual reproduction requires fertilization
resulting to a fertilized egg cell called zygote. All the cells in our body came from the division of the pre-
existing one.
In prokaryotes, cell division can be observed through binary fission. While in the eukaryotes, cell cycle
consists of two distinct phases: Interphase and Mitotic phase. Cell cycle is a means for the continuity of
life. So, before the cell divides it spends most of its life in the period of cell growth called Interphase with
three sub-stages: G1 phase, S phase and G2 phase followed by M phase or Mitotic phase.

Cell cycle is the series of events that occur in a cell to prepare cell division and to produce two new
daughter cells.

Phases of cell cycle include two major activities:

1. Interphase
2. M-phase (Mitotic phase)

Interphase is the longest phase of the cell cycle process. It is also the known as the resting phase.
Although the cell is at rest but it is metabolically active. The metabolic activities of the cell can be observed
through cell growth, production of nutrients and enzymes and replication of DNA.

Interphase has 3 sub-stages:

1. G1 phase (Gap1 phase/Growth 1 phase)
2. S-phase (Synthesis phase)
3. G2 phase (Gap2 phase/Growth 2 phase)
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region V – Bicol
Schools Division of Legazpi City
BANQUEROHAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Banquerohan, Legazpi City
___________________________________________________________________________
G1 phase (Gap1 phase/Growth 1 phase) the cell increases in size, proteinsynthesis also occurs enable the
cell to increase the amount of cytosol.
Synthesis phase is the longest and the most essential stage of interphase. It is due to the complexity of
the replication of genetic material which results to the duplication of DNA prior to the cell division process.
G2 phase (Gap2 phase/Growth 2 phase) is the final stage where the cell prepares itself for cell division
process, and also ensures that the DNA replication completes.

Cell cycle checkpoints verify whether all the cellular activities are accurately completed at each stage of
interphase.

In eukaryotic cells, there are three major checkpoints that control the cell cycle process. They are:
1. G1 checkpoint at the G1/S transition
2. G2 checkpoint at the G2/M transition
3. Spindle checkpoint, transition from metaphase and anaphase

G1 checkpoint checks the following:

a. Cell’s size (Does the cell large increase its size or large enough for cell division?)
b. Nutrients (Does the cell have enough reserve energy and nutrients for cell division?)
c. DNA integrity (Is any part of the DNA damaged?)
d. Molecular signals (Does the cell receives growth factors and other signals from neighboring
cell?)

If the cell does not comply with the following factors, cell cycle will stop and enters the G0 phase
called the resting state. Some cell stays in G 0 phase permanently, while others proceed to divide if the
condition of the cell improves.
G2 checkpoint checks the following:
a. DNA integrity (Is any part of the DNA damaged?)
b. DNA replication (Is the DNA replication completed in the S phase?)
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region V – Bicol
Schools Division of Legazpi City
BANQUEROHAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Banquerohan, Legazpi City
___________________________________________________________________________
If there is an error, the cell will pause at the G 2 phase and allow for some repairs. If the damage
is within the DNA, the cell cycle will paused and let the cell complete the DNA replication or repair it.
But if the damage cell is irreparable, the cell will undergo apoptosis or cell death. It is the self-
destruction mechanism of the cell to ensure that the damaged DNA is not passed on the daughter cells
and also important in preventing cancer. There are some cells that never or rarely divide like matured
cardiac muscle and nerve cell that permanently retains in G0.

Metaphase checkpoint or Spindle checkpoint occurs at metaphase stage of mitosis. It is regulated by

Anaphase-promoting complex (APC). It checks whether all chromosomes are properly attached to the
spindle fibers and its alignment at the metaphase plate. If there are mistakes, the cell delays it anaphase
process.

Cancer is the result of the unregulated process of the cell cycle due to the breakdown of the
mechanisms that controls the entire process. It happens during the synthesis phase, wherein the cell cannot
determine the changes in the DNA sequence that code for the specific regulatory molecules.

Oncogenes are the genes that cause the cell to become cancerous.
Proto-oncogenes are the genes that code for positive regulators during cell cycle. When these normal
genes are altered by mutation it can be an oncogenes leading to cancer cells formation.
Tumor suppressor genes are healthy normal genes that slow down cell division, helps to repair DNA
mistakes and also cell apoptosis or cell death. It codes for the negative regulator protein, when activated can
prevent the cell from uncontrolled division. But when tumor suppressor gene does not work properly, cell
division will be out of control and it can also lead to cancer.

IV. ACTIVITIES
Activity 1. FACT OR BLUFF
Tell whether the following statement about the phases of cell cycle and its checkpoint is a FACT or BLUFF.
____________1. The correct sequence of the cell cycle phase is G1 → S → G2 → M.
____________2. Cell division in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell is the same.
____________3. The results of DNA replication is duplicated DNA.
____________4. Interphase consists of mitosis and cytokinesis as its stage.
____________5. Bacterial cell divides through binary fission.
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region V – Bicol
Schools Division of Legazpi City
BANQUEROHAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Banquerohan, Legazpi City
___________________________________________________________________________
____________6. Unregulated cell division can lead to cancer cells formation.
____________7. Cell spends most its time and life in the first gap phase.
____________8. Cell cycle is a repeating series of events that describes the life cycle of a cell.
____________9. A mass of abnormal cells is called a tumor.
____________10. The process in which a cell divides is known as mitosis.
Activity 2 – Create Me Now!
Make a creative diagram that illustrates the continuous set of events (stages) that occur during the cell
cycle. Make sure to labels each phases of the cell cycle. You can use the back part of this activity sheet to answer
this activity.
*Note: Rubric will be used to give points/grade for the output.

Activity 3 – Match Me, Match Me!!!

Matching Type: Match the terms in Column A, with different words related to cell cycle and checkpoints
in Column B. Write your answer on separate answer sheet/paper.

Activity 4 - Check, check, checkpoints!

Put a check mark on each checkpoints that corresponds to its function.

III. ASSESSMENT
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region V – Bicol
Schools Division of Legazpi City
BANQUEROHAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Banquerohan, Legazpi City
___________________________________________________________________________
A. Multiple choice. Read the questions carefully a. G1 checkpoint
and encircle the letter of the best answer. b. G2 checkpoint
c. S checkpoint
1. Cells that permanently or rarely divide, d. M checkpoint
spend most of their time in this phase of cell 9. What is the main prerequisite for clearance
cycle? at the G2 checkpoint?
a. G0 a. G1 checkpoint
b. G1 b. G2 checkpoint
c. G2 c. S checkpoint
d. S d. M checkpoint
2. During this cell cycle phase, cell increase its 10. Inactivation of what kind of gene that can
size and grows. lead to the development of cancer cells.
a. G0 a. Cancer cell
b. G1 b. Oncogene
c. G2 c. Proto-oncogene
d. S d. Tumor suppressor gene
3. Programmed cell death is known as 11. In this phase, the cell is preparing for the
____________. cell division of the mitotic phase.
a. Apoptosis a. G0
b. Oncogene b. G1
c. Proto-oncogene c. G2
d. Tumor suppressor gene d. S
4. In this phase, the cell is preparing for the 12. If the M checkpoint is not cleared, what
cell division of the mitotic stage. specific stage of mitosis will be blocked?
a. G0 a. Anaphase
b. G1 b. Metaphase
c. G2 c. Prophase
d. S d. Telophase
5. In the eukaryotic cell, it is the longest stage 13. Majority of the negative regulator proteins
of the cell cycle and generally its function is to of the cell cycle can be found in what kind of cells?
prepare the cell to division process. a. Cancer cells
a. Interphase b. Gametes
b. Mitotic phase c. Sex cells
c. Synthesis Phase d. Stem cells
d. All of the above 14. What type of check point dictates whether
6. DNA replication occurs in what phase of cell the cell will continuously divide or stop, and also
cycle? checks the cell size, presence of growth factors
a. Interphase and DNA damage?
b. Growth phase a. G1 checkpoint
c. Mitotic phase b. G2 checkpoint
d. Synthesis Phase c. S checkpoint
7. What type of gene codes a positive cell cycle d. M checkpoint
regulator? 15. Cancer cell formation happens during this
a. Apoptosis phase, wherein the cell cannot determine the
b. Oncogene changes in the DNA sequence that code for the
c. Proto-oncogene specific regulatory molecules.
d. Tumor suppressor gene a. G0
8. Which checkpoint ensures sister b. G1
chromatids are positioned to be split c. G2
correctly? d. S
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region V – Bicol
Schools Division of Legazpi City
BANQUEROHAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Banquerohan, Legazpi City
___________________________________________________________________________
IV. Reflection:
Write at least 5 topics/ideas you learned from this activity in bullet points.
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V. References
Printed/Text Based: Deped Learner’s Materials/Textbooks/Readers
Biological Science Textbook by Cajuday et al.,2012
Online/Digital

Prepared by:
ELIZA ANN A. ARENA
SST1 - SHS Teacher