Cell Cycle Control System * Checkpoints stop the cycle until go-ahead signal is received. — There are 3 checkpoints (G,, G,, & M) that must be passed before Mitosis is completed. G1 CheckpointRelative concentration Molecules associated with the cell- cycle clock Cdks - cyclin-dependent kinase (remember that a kinase is an enzyme that activate or inactivate by phosphorylating) — cyclin is always present in the cell and is activated when phosphorylated — synthesized during the S-phase MPF - M-phase promoting factor — partner molecule to Cdk — peaks during M phase and initiates Mitosis — aids in the disassembly of the nuclear lamina — switched off during AnaphaseMolecules associated with the cell- cycle clock * Growth factor — secreted by near-by cells — called a mitogen — many allow the cell to proceed past the G, checkpoint * if the go-ahead signal is not reached it switches to the G, phase — most adult cells are at this positionExternal controls * density dependent inhibition — cells stop dividing when overcrowded * anchorage dependence — to divide cells must be anchoredCancer * Cancer cells lack the inhibition pathways are immortal or stop at odd places in the cycle * Hela cell line has been dividing since 1951 * usually 20-50 replications before cell death normal cells are transformed to cancer cells through a transformation process if the cells stay in the same location they are said to be benign if the tumor invades an organ and impair its function, it is said to be malignant when the cancer cells travel to different locations they are metastatic (process is metastasis)