3.8 - The Cell Cycle

Question 1

What are the 3 stages of the cell cycle?

Answer 1

1. Interphase
2. Nuclear division
3. Division of the cytoplasm (cytokinesis)

Question 2

Interphase?

Answer 2

Occupies most of the cell cycle, and is sometimes known as the resting phase because no division takes place

Question 3

Nuclear division?

Answer 3

When the nucleus divides either into two (mitosis) or four (meiosis)

Question 4

Division of the cytoplasm (cytokinesis)?

Answer 4

Follows nuclear division and is the process by which the cytoplasm divides to produce two new cells (mitosis) of four new cells (meiosis)

Question 5

How long does the cell cycle normally take in a mammal?

Answer 5

24 hours

Question 6

What is cancer?

Answer 6

It is the result of the damage to the genes that regulate mitosis and the cell cycle, this leads to uncontrolled growth and division of cells

Question 7

What are the two types of tumours?

Answer 7

• malignant
• benign

Question 8

What are malignant tumours?

Answer 8

Grow rapidly, are less compact and are more likely to be life threatening

Question 9

What are benign tumours?

Answer 9

Grow more slowly, are more compact and are less likely to be life threatening.

Question 10

Drugs used to treat cancer usually disrupt the cell cycle by?

Answer 10

• preventing DNA from replicating
• inhibiting the metaphase stage of mitosis by interfering with spindle formation