The Cell Cycle and Cancer
This assignment may be completed, alternatively, as a hard copy; see teacher for a hard copy model.
I. Purpose
The purpose of this lab is to figure out how cancer tissues can be recognized and to compare and contrast the cell cycle of cancer cells and normal cells.
II. Background
Why is this significant. Use 'Information' link on virtual lab. Be clear and concise. Use Chapter 10.3 as a reference.
III. Hypothesis
Use format as used in Mitosis Experimental Design>
Idea: I believe normal cell tissues will look different than cancerous cell tissues with regard to phases of the cell cycle in that... (discuss what phase differences they might have) because... (why do you think they will be dividing more or less?). If my hypothesis is correct, I will see a greater percentage of cells dividing in ____ tissues versus ___ tissues.
Idea: I believe normal cell tissues will look different than cancerous cell tissues with regard to phases of the cell cycle in that... (discuss what phase differences they might have) because... (why do you think they will be dividing more or less?). If my hypothesis is correct, I will see a greater percentage of cells dividing in ____ tissues versus ___ tissues.
IV. Materials (Virtual Lab Online)
- Cancerous Ovary Tissue
- Normal Ovary Tissue
- Cancerous Lung Tissue
- Normal Lung Tissue
- Cancerous Stomach Tissue
- Normal Stomach Tissue
- Microscope
V. Procedure
- Watch video about the cell cycle.
- Click the information button to learn about cancer.
- Click on the microscope to begin learning about the phases of mitosis.
- Click and drag the label to the corresponding cell under the microscope.
- Open the Data Table and begin to record the number of cells in each phase of mitosis in the tissue sample.
- Answer journal questions about cell division and cancer.
VI. Data
The data table below lists the number of cells per area present in various phases of the cell cycle observed in three different types of tissue in both normal and cancerous cells.
Upload data table below. Download as a pdf. to print at home, upload a photo of a hand-written version or upload an excel table. Screen shot? is a graph of the data I collected (phases of the cell cycle, x-axis v. tissue types, y -axis).
Upload an excel graph created in Google Drive, upload a photo of a hand-written version or take a screen shot..
Upload data table below. Download as a pdf. to print at home, upload a photo of a hand-written version or upload an excel table. Screen shot? is a graph of the data I collected (phases of the cell cycle, x-axis v. tissue types, y -axis).
Upload an excel graph created in Google Drive, upload a photo of a hand-written version or take a screen shot..
VII. Journal Questions
Answer three 'Journal' questions in complete sentences here; be thorough in explanations, answer all parts and be sure to explain. Questions given below. Please do not submit through virtual lab web site.
- Based on your data and observations, what are some of the differences between normal cells and cancer cells?
- When studying cell division in tissue samples, scientists often calculate a mitotic index, which is the ratio of dividing cells to the total number of cells in the sample. Which type of tissue would have a higher mitotic index, normal tissue or cancerous tissue? Explain.
- Different types of normal tissues in the human body have different mitotic indices. From the following list, which normal tissues would you expect to have the highest mitotic index: muscle, skin, kidney, or lung? Explain your answer.
VIII. Conclusion
See teacher's formal laboratory report guidelines> for help on how to write a conclusion. Include the following in a paragraph format:
- Re-state hypothesis and results briefly (describe all percents gathered).
- Explain what was learned by observations and calculations.
- What deductions can you make?
- What commonalities are observed, if any?
- Do NOT include results not mentioned previously.
- How would you change or improve the lab next time?
- Experimental (unavoidable errors)
- Conclusions or implications of data gathered