Cell Cycle Regulation Name:___________________________

How does a cell know it is time to divide?

Quality control inspectors typically do not limit their product testing to the final product at the end of the assembly line. They
monitor all aspects of production in hopes of preventing larger problems down the line. Likewise, when cells are progressing
through the cell cycle there are processes in place that check on the cell’s progress. Is everything happening according to plan?
Are there sufficient resources to com- plete the task of cell division? Tightly regulating the cell cycle keeps a multicellular
organism healthy by conserving materials. This ensures that new cells receive accurate genetic information, and also prevents
uncontrolled growth that may lead to diseases like cancer.

Model 1 – The Cell Cycle

1. Review the phases of the cell cycle in Model 1 by placing the abbreviated phase name (G 1, S,
G2 or M) next to the proper description.
__G1__ The cell grows by producing more proteins and organelles.
__S__ DNA replication occurs.
__G2__ The cell prepares for cell division with the appearance of centrosomes.
__M__ Mitosis and cytokinesis occurs.
2. Some cells, like mature nerve cells or muscle cells, do not divide. Other cells will divide only
when the cellular environment signals that it is necessary. According to Model 1, what “phase”
of the cell cycle are these cells said to be in when they are not dividing or planning to divide?
G0

3. There are three regulatory checkpoints built into the cell cycle.
a. Name the three checkpoints as shown on Model 1.
G1, G2, M

b. Indicate the phase of the cell cycle, and what part of the phase (early or later), where each checkpoint
occurs.

later

4. Progression through the cell cycle is dependent on both extra- and intracellular conditions. Consider the
following conditions. Indicate which checkpoint(s) most likely responds to that condition.
a. The DNA has been completely replicated and checked for errors.
G2 checkpoint

b. There is ample supply of energy and raw materials available.

G1 and G2 checkpoints
c. All chromosomes are attached to the spindles.
M checkpoint

d. There is adequate room in the environment for more cells.

G1

5. Which checkpoint appears to regulate whether the cell is in G0 or not?

G1

6. Predict the result of a mutation that allows a cell to move past checkpoint G1 even though the cell has
not grown sufficiently.
may get stopped at G2 or M
may not form properly (too small to survive)

7. Predict the result of a mutation that allows a cell to move past checkpoint G2 even though DNA
replication has not been completed.
Stopped at M checkpoint or undergo apoptosis

8. Predict the result of a mutation that allows a cell to move past checkpoint M even though the
chromosomes were not prepared for division.

Disfunctional cells or apoptosis

Read This!
What determines if a cell is in G0 or going through the cell cycle? What determines a “pass” at a check-
 point during the cell cycle? These questions are answered by both intracellular and extracellular chemical
signals. Growth factors are one type of chemical signal. These proteins are released by specialized cells
and trigger cell division. Surface proteins tell cells to stop dividing if the environment gets too crowded
and cells are touching with too much pressure. Enzymes called kinases provide the energy (through
phosphory- lation) for many of the processes that must happen for successful mitosis to occur.

Model 2 – Cyclin and Kinase

9. Recall that the purpose of the kinases is to phosphorylate other molecules, thus bringing them
to a higher energy state. With this in mind, identify the three parts of the maturation promoting
factor (MPF) shown in Model 2.
The MPF is made from a kinase, a cyclin, and a phosphate group.

10. The graph in Model 2 divides the cell cycle into “interphase” and “mitosis.” Which of the phases
of the cell cycle in Model 1 fall into the “interphase” time frame?
G1, S, G2

11. Consider the graph in Model 2.

a. Describe the changes in the concentration of cyclin dependent kinase (Cdk) as the cell moves
through different phases of the cell cycle.
It stays the same throughout the cell cycle.
b. Describe the changes in the concentration of cyclin as the cell moves through different phases
of the cell cycle.
The concentration fluctuates (builds up and then drops back down)
12. Propose an explanation for the change in the maturation promoting factor (MPF) concentration
throughout the cell cycle based on your knowledge of the concentrations of Cdk and cyclin.
As the concentration of cyclin increases, there is more cyclin to bind to the CDK, so the concentration of
MPF increases.

13. Can the change in cyclin concentration during mitosis be explained by the fact that the cell
divides in two and thus divides the material in the cell into two smaller volumes? If no, propose
an explanation for the change in concentration that is seen.
No, because there will be fewer cyclin molecules in the daughter cells after mitosis but the daughter cells
are smaller so the concentration stays the same.

14. Considering both Model 1 and Model 2, which checkpoint in the cell cycle is regulated by the
concentration of MPF? Justify your reasoning.
G2 checkpoint because the MPF concentration is higher just before the M phase.

Read This!
After MPF has done its job of phosphorylation, the cyclin portion of the complex is degraded. This means
that the protein is broken up into parts that can be recycled by the cell. The kinase is not degraded, but
instead used again as the cell goes through another cycle of division.

15. If cyclin was always available in the cell at high concentrations, what effect would this have on the cell
cycle?
Cells would go through mitosis even when they’re not ready to.

16. How might a cell be affected by the development of a degradation-resistant cyclin mutant? Explain.
The MPF would always be active and the cell would move through the G2 checkpoint even when not
ready.

Read This!
Cyclin proteins are encoded by a group of genes called proto-oncogenes. Besides cyclins, which function
inside the cell, other proteins made by genes from this group are embedded in the cell membrane and
receive extracellular signals that help to regulate the cell cycle and slow down the differentiation of new
cells. Tumor suppressor genes make up another group of genes that regulate cell division. Genes from this
group produce proteins that signal cells when they are getting too crowded, proteins whose function is to
repair DNA, and still other proteins that regulate apoptosis (pre-programmed cell death). A tumor
suppressor gene called p53 causes apoptosis when the cell is worn out or when defects are detected.

17. At which checkpoint in the cell cycle would a tumor suppressor gene
a. repair DNA function?
G2
b. check for adequate room for more cells?
G1
18. Create an analogy for the function of proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes by assigning the
role of a car’s accelerator and brake pedals to each group. Using your previous knowledge, the information
given above, and information in Model 2, complete the table below.

Regulatory Genes Accelerator Pedal or Brake Pedal Justification

Proto-oncogene Accelerator Cyclin allows cells to pass through G2 and

divide

Tumor suppressor Brake Slows down division when cells are crowded
gene

19. Cancer, which can be considered as unregulated cell division, often results from mutations in proto-
oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Usually mutation in more than one gene from each group is
involved. Suggest two or more combinations of mutations that would tend to allow the cell cycle to
become unregulated.
-any proto-oncogene along with a mutation that would allow a defective cell to continue dividing.
-a gene that repairs DNA would allow additional mutations in either or both groups to go unrepaired and
allow the cell cycle to continue.

20. Paclitaxel is a chemotherapy drug used to treat a variety of cancers. Paclitaxel inhibits both assembly
and disassembly of microtubules.
a. Which checkpoint in the cell cycle is affected by Paclitaxel?
M
b. How does this drug inhibit the growth of cancer?
The cell will never divide because it never finished mitosis
c. Paclitaxel affects not only cancer cells, but normal cells as well. Would the effects of Paclitaxel be seen
first in organs that have quickly dividing cells (like the intestine and hair follicles) or in organs that have
slow or nondividing cells (like muscles and the nervous system). Justify your reasoning.
Organs with cells that frequently divide