Mitosis Performance Task

You are a pathologist (a scientist who studies the causes and effects of diseases) at Scripps Memorial.
You are sent the following information and data regarding a 65 year old patient. Please answer the
assessment questions below to provide an explanation for what is causing the diagnosis.

Figure 1: Medical report from general physician. Figure 2: Sample of the cells observed under the
microscope.

CT Scan of Kidney Epithelial Sample

Findings: Sample
Cell #1
Cell #2
10 cm abnormal growth
identified on left side of
kidney.
Cells are abnormal in shape
and structure.
Mass further observed under
microscope. Abnormal growth
contained some cells with 94
chromosomes, and some with
less than 46.

Priming Questions:
● In the medical report (Figure 1), what was identified?
a. 10 cm abnormal growth
b. Cells have abnormal shape and structure
c. Improper number of chromosomes

● Describe what you see in Figure 2. Are there any abnormal cells? List the characteristics of the
abnormal cells.
There is a mass in the center of abnormal cells these cells are different colors have
multiple nuclei and have blood vessels growing into them.
● For Sample Cell #1 (See Figure 2), what checkpoint do you think was bypassed? Why?
I believe that G2 was the error because if their are two nuclei making me believe there are two sets
of dna so the cell was not properly checked.

● Sample Cell #2 (See Figure 2) is in the process of duplicating its cellular components. What cell cycle
phase is Sample Cell #2 in? [G0 / G1 / S / G2 / Mitosis]

a. Sample Cell #2 did NOT duplicate the centrioles, which are required for mitosis. The cell
still moves into the S phase. What checkpoint was bypassed?

G1 check was bypassed

● Assessment: Use a model to illustrate the two daughter cells that will result after mitosis in either
Sample Cell #1 or Sample Cell #2. Your model MUST illustrate the impact of bypassing the
checkpoints will have in the two daughter cells. [Note that Sample Cell #1 & #2 will bypass the
checkpoint in Metaphase]

a. Make sure to include the following phases in your model:

● Interphase ● Anaphase ● Daughter Cells
● Prophase ● Telophase
● Metaphase ● Cytokinesis
b. Make sure to include the following cellular components in your model:
● Nucleus (Nuclear Envelope) ● Centrioles
● Chromatin / Chromosomes ● Spindle Fibers

Helpful Resources:
 Figure B: Process of typical (normal) cell division
Figure A: Cell cylce of a typical, healthy cell. for a health cell

Mitosis Model for Sample Cel #1

 The G1 check presented an error and was by passed resulting in double the chromosomes and two
nuclei. The DNA wasnt good or ready to be replicated but was anyway.

Mitosis Performance Task Rubric:

Exceeds Mastery - 4 Meets Mastery - 3 Approaching Mastery - 2 Emerging Mastery - 1

Model: Model: Model: No evidence is

● Clearly displays and labels
all phases of mitosis, and
includes all required cellular
components.
● Includes clear drawings of
the final two daughter cells,
that correctly identify how
the bypassed checkpoints
result in errors in the
daughter cells.
● Errors are depicted
throughout mitosis, not only
in the daughter cells.
● Includes all phases of
mitosis, and includes most
required cellular
components.
● Includes drawings of the
final two daughter cells, that
identify how the bypassed
checkpoints result in errors
in the daughter cells.
● Errors need to be depicted
throughout mitosis, not only
in the daughter cells.
● Needs to include all phases
of mitosis, and needs to
include all required cellular
components.
● Needs to include drawings
of the final two daughter
cells that correctly identify
how the bypassed
checkpoint resulted in errors
in the daughter cells.
present, or very little
evidence is present.
Questions are not
answered and the
model is incomplete or
not drawn, so
understanding cannot
be determined.