Cells: Mitosis - Cancer

Question 1

Genes Responsible for Cell Cycle & Mitosis

Answer 1

• Mitosis is a gene controlled process, but mutations in a gene that controls cell division can result in uncontrollable mitosis
• Uncontrolled cell division can lead to the formation of tumours and cancer
• Cancer is a tumour that invades surrounding tissue

Question 2

Cancer Treatments

Answer 2

• Some treatments for cancer control the rate of cell division in tumour cells by disrupting the cell cycle - this kills tumour cells
• These treatments don’t distinguish tumour cells from normal cells and also kill normal body cells that are dividing
• Tumour cells divide much more frequently than normal cells, so treatments are more likely to kill tumour cells

Question 3

Cancer Treatments: Chemotherapy

Answer 3

• Targets G1 - cell growth and protein production
• Prevent the synthesis of enzymes needed for DNA replication
• Cell is unable to enter S phase
• Cell is forced to kill itself (apoptosis)

Question 4

Cancer Treatments: Radiation

Answer 4

• Targets S phase - DNA replication
• Raditation and some drugs damage DNA
• At several points in the cell cycle, the DNA in the cell is checked for damage
• If severe DNA damage is detected, the cell will kill itself - preventing further tumour growth