The Cell Cycle and Cancer

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Slide 1

The Cell Cycle and Cancer

Slide 2

The Stages of the Cell Cycle

1. Click on picture for cell cycle animation –

will go to www.cancerquest.org)

2. Use alt-tab keys to go between website

and power point presentation.

3. Click on blank space to proceed to next slide.)

Slide 3

There are several factors that regulate the cell cycle and assure a cell divides correctly.

1.Before a cell divides, the DNA is checked to make sure it has replicated correctly. (If DNA does not copy itself correctly, a gene mutation occurs.

DNA replication animation:click on DNA picture

Slide 4

2. Chemical Signals tell a cell when to start and stop dividing.

(Target cells animation: click on go sign)

Slide 5

Neighboring cells communicate with dividing cells to regulate their growth also.

(Normal contact inhibition animation: click on petri dish)

Slide 6

Cancer is a disease of the cell cycle. Some of the body’s cells divide uncontrollably and tumors form.

Tumors in Liver

Tumor in Colon

Slide 7

DNA mutations disrupt the cell cycle.

Mutations may be caused by:

1. radiation

2. smoking

3. Pollutants

4. chemicals

5. viruses

Slide 8

While normal cells will stop dividing if there is a mutation in the DNA, cancer cells will continue to divide with mutation.

Slide 9

Due to DNA mutations, cancer cells ignore the chemical signals that start and stop the cell cycle.

2 animations of cancer cells dividing: click on picture

Slide 10

Due to DNA mutations, cancer cells cannot communicate with neighboring cells. Cells continue to grow and form tumors.

(cancer cells dividing: click on picture.)

Skin cancer

Slide 11

SUMMARY

Normal Cell Division

DNA is replicated properly.

2. Chemical signals start and stop the cell cycle.

3. Cells communicate with each other so they don’t become overcrowded.

Cancer Cells

Mutations occur in the DNA when it is replicated.