The Cell Cycle And Cancer Worksheet

Virtual Lab: The Cell Cycle and Cancer
Worksheet

1. In which phase of mitosis do each of the following occur:
a. Centromeres split and chromosomes move toward opposite sides of the cell
b. Chromatin coils to form visible chromosomes
c. The nuclear membrane disappears
d. Sister chromatids line up in the center of the cell

2. In which phases of mitosis are sister chromatids visible, and attached to each other at the centromere?

Table 1: Record your data for the number of cells in each stage of the cell cycle observed in normal tissues.

Tissue Type
# Cells in Interphase
# Cells in Prophase
# Cells in
Metaphase
# Cells in Anaphase
# Cells in
Telophase
Lung Tissue
Sample 1
19
1
0
0
0
Lung Tissue
Sample 2
19
0
0
1
0
Stomach Tissue
Sample 1
18
0
1
0
1
Stomach Tissue
Sample 2
16
1
1
0
2
Ovarian Tissue
Sample 1
17
0
1
2
0
Ovarian Tissue
Sample 2
19
0
0
1
0

Table 2: Record your data for the number of cells in each stage of the cell cycle observed in cancerous tissues.

Tissue Type
# Cells in Interphase
# Cells in Prophase
# Cells in
Metaphase
# Cells in Anaphase
# Cells in
Telophase
Lung Tissue
Sample 1
15
1
3
0
1
Lung Tissue
Sample 2
16
0
2
1
1
Stomach Tissue
Sample 1
13
2
2
2
1
Stomach Tissue
Sample 2
14
2
1
1
2
Ovarian Tissue
Sample 1
11
2
2
3
2
Ovarian Tissue
Sample 2
12
2
1
2
3

Table 3: Use the data in Table 1 to calculate the Mitotic Index (average % cells dividing) for each normal tissue type.

Tissue Type
Avg. % cells at rest
Mitotic Index
Lung - normal

Stomach - normal

Ovary - normal

Table 4: Use the data in Table 2 to calculate the average % cells dividing and average % cells at rest in each cancerous tissue type.

Tissue Type
Avg. % cells at rest
Mitotic Index
Lung - cancerous

Stomach - cancerous

Ovary - cancerous

Resting cells
Lung sample 1: 19
Lung sample 2: 19
19 + 19 = 38
38 / 2 = 19
19 / 20 =

Questions:

3. What does your data indicate about the rate of cell division in cancerous tissue