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- Anaphase
b. Chromatin coils to form visible chromosomes - Prophase
c. The nuclear membrane disappears- Prophase
d. Sister chromatids line up in the center of the cell- Metaphase

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

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
1
0
0
0
Stomach Tissue
Sample 1
18
0
1
0
1
Stomach Tissue
Sample 2
18
0
1
0
1
Ovarian Tissue
Sample 1
19
0
0
1
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
16
0
2
1
1
Lung Tissue
Sample 2
16
0
2
1
1
Stomach Tissue
Sample 1
14
2
1
1
2
Stomach Tissue
Sample 2
14
2
1
1
2
Ovarian Tissue
Sample 1
12
2
1
2
3
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
95%
5%
Stomach - normal
90%
10%
Ovary - normal
95%
5%

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
80%
20%
Stomach - cancerous
70%
30%
Ovary - cancerous
60%
40%

Questions:

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