3.8 The cell cycle

Question 1

What are the three stages of the cell cycle?

Answer 1

-interphase, which is the majority of the cell cycle (i.e. ~90% of the cycle in mammalian cells)
-nuclear division, which is when division takes place
-cytokinesis (cytoplasm division), which produces the daughter cells

Question 2

How does cancer link to mitosis?

Answer 2

cancer is caused by damaged genes that regulate the cell cycle and mitosis, resulting in uncontrolled growth and division and forming a tumour (the group of abnormal cells)

Question 3

What is the difference between malignant and benign tumours?

Answer 3

malignant tumours grow more rapidly, are less compact and are likely to be life-threatening, whilst benign tumours grow more slowly, are more compact and are less likely to be life-threatening