Control of the Cell Cycle Quiz

PDF page 428: Each step of the cell cycle is closely monitored by external signals and internal controls called checkpoints. There are three major checkpoints in the cell cycle: one near the end of G1, a second at the G2/M transition, and the third during metaphase. Growth factor proteins arriving at the dividing cell’s plasma membrane can trigger the cell to begin dividing. Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) are internal molecular signals that regulate cell transitions through the various checkpoints. Passage through the G1 checkpoint makes sure that the cell is ready for DNA replication in the S stage of interphase; passage through the G2 checkpoint triggers the separation of chromatids during mitosis. Positive regulator molecules like the cyclins and Cdks allow the cell cycle to advance to the next stage; negative regulator molecules, such as tumor suppressor proteins, monitor cellular conditions and can halt the cycle until specific requirements are met. Errors in the regulation of the cell cycle can cause cancer, which is characterized by uncontrolled cell division. Information presented and the examples highlighted in the section support concepts and Learning Objectives outlined

PDF page 428: Each step of the cell cycle is closely monitored by external signals and internal controls called checkpoints. There are three major checkpoints in the cell cycle: one near the end of G1, a second at the G2/M transition, and the third during metaphase. Growth factor proteins arriving at the dividing cell’s plasma membrane can trigger the cell to begin dividing. Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) are internal molecular signals that regulate cell transitions through the various checkpoints. Passage through the G1 checkpoint makes sure that the cell is ready for DNA replication in the S stage of interphase; passage through the G2 checkpoint triggers the separation of chromatids during mitosis. Positive regulator molecules like the cyclins and Cdks allow the cell cycle to advance to the next stage; negative regulator molecules, such as tumor suppressor proteins, monitor cellular conditions and can halt the cycle until specific requirements are met. Errors in the regulation of the cell cycle can cause cancer, which is characterized by uncontrolled cell division. Information presented and the examples highlighted in the section support concepts and Learning Objectives outlined

PDF page 429: It is essential that the daughter cells produced be exact duplicates of the parent cell. Mistakes in the duplication or distribution of the chromosomes lead to mutations that may be passed forward to every new cell produced from an abnormal cell. To prevent a compromised cell from continuing to divide, there are internal control mechanisms that operate at three main cell cycle checkpoints. A checkpoint is one of several points in the eukaryotic cell cycle at which the progression of a cell to the next stage in the cycle can be halted until conditions are favorable. These checkpoints occur near the end of G1, at the G2/M transition, and during metaphase (Figure 10.11).

PDF page 428: Each step of the cell cycle is closely monitored by external signals and internal controls called checkpoints. There are three major checkpoints in the cell cycle: one near the end of G1, a second at the G2/M transition, and the third during metaphase. Growth factor proteins arriving at the dividing cell’s plasma membrane can trigger the cell to begin dividing. Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) are internal molecular signals that regulate cell transitions through the various checkpoints. Passage through the G1 checkpoint makes sure that the cell is ready for DNA replication in the S stage of interphase; passage through the G2 checkpoint triggers the separation of chromatids during mitosis. Positive regulator molecules like the cyclins and Cdks allow the cell cycle to advance to the next stage; negative regulator molecules, such as tumor suppressor proteins, monitor cellular conditions and can halt the cycle until specific requirements are met. Errors in the regulation of the cell cycle can cause cancer, which is characterized by uncontrolled cell division. Information presented and the examples highlighted in the section support concepts and Learning Objectives outlined

PDF page 431: In addition to the internally controlled checkpoints, there are two groups of intracellular molecules that regulate the cell cycle. These regulatory molecules either promote progress of the cell to the next phase (positive regulation) or halt the cycle (negative regulation). Regulator molecules may act individually, or they can influence the activity or production of other regulatory proteins. Therefore, the failure of a single regulator may have almost no effect on the cell cycle, especially if more than one mechanism controls the same event. Conversely, the effect of a deficient or non-functioning regulator can be wide-ranging and possibly fatal to the cell if multiple processes are affected. Positive Regulation of the Cell Cycle Two groups of proteins, called cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks), are responsible for the progress of the cell through the various checkpoints. The levels of the four cyclin proteins fluctuate throughout the cell cycle in a predictable pattern (Figure 10.12). Increases in the concentration of cyclin proteins are triggered by both external and internal signals. After the cell moves to the next stage of the cell cycle, the cyclins that were active in the previous stage are degraded.

PDF page 428: Each step of the cell cycle is closely monitored by external signals and internal controls called checkpoints. There are three major checkpoints in the cell cycle: one near the end of G1, a second at the G2/M transition, and the third during metaphase. Growth factor proteins arriving at the dividing cell’s plasma membrane can trigger the cell to begin dividing. Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) are internal molecular signals that regulate cell transitions through the various checkpoints. Passage through the G1 checkpoint makes sure that the cell is ready for DNA replication in the S stage of interphase; passage through the G2 checkpoint triggers the separation of chromatids during mitosis. Positive regulator molecules like the cyclins and Cdks allow the cell cycle to advance to the next stage; negative regulator molecules, such as tumor suppressor proteins, monitor cellular conditions and can halt the cycle until specific requirements are met. Errors in the regulation of the cell cycle can cause cancer, which is characterized by uncontrolled cell division. Information presented and the examples highlighted in the section support concepts and Learning Objectives outlined

PDF page 428: Each step of the cell cycle is closely monitored by external signals and internal controls called checkpoints. There are three major checkpoints in the cell cycle: one near the end of G1, a second at the G2/M transition, and the third during metaphase. Growth factor proteins arriving at the dividing cell’s plasma membrane can trigger the cell to begin dividing. Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) are internal molecular signals that regulate cell transitions through the various checkpoints. Passage through the G1 checkpoint makes sure that the cell is ready for DNA replication in the S stage of interphase; passage through the G2 checkpoint triggers the separation of chromatids during mitosis. Positive regulator molecules like the cyclins and Cdks allow the cell cycle to advance to the next stage; negative regulator molecules, such as tumor suppressor proteins, monitor cellular conditions and can halt the cycle until specific requirements are met. Errors in the regulation of the cell cycle can cause cancer, which is characterized by uncontrolled cell division. Information presented and the examples highlighted in the section support concepts and Learning Objectives outlined

PDF page 428: Each step of the cell cycle is closely monitored by external signals and internal controls called checkpoints. There are three major checkpoints in the cell cycle: one near the end of G1, a second at the G2/M transition, and the third during metaphase. Growth factor proteins arriving at the dividing cell’s plasma membrane can trigger the cell to begin dividing. Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) are internal molecular signals that regulate cell transitions through the various checkpoints. Passage through the G1 checkpoint makes sure that the cell is ready for DNA replication in the S stage of interphase; passage through the G2 checkpoint triggers the separation of chromatids during mitosis. Positive regulator molecules like the cyclins and Cdks allow the cell cycle to advance to the next stage; negative regulator molecules, such as tumor suppressor proteins, monitor cellular conditions and can halt the cycle until specific requirements are met. Errors in the regulation of the cell cycle can cause cancer, which is characterized by uncontrolled cell division. Information presented and the examples highlighted in the section support concepts and Learning Objectives outlined

PDF page 429: The length of the cell cycle is highly variable, even within the cells of a single organism. In humans, the frequency of cell turnover ranges from a few hours in early embryonic development, to an average of two to five days for epithelial cells, and to an entire human lifetime spent in G0 by specialized cells, such as cortical neurons or cardiac muscle cells. There is also variation in the time that a cell spends in each phase of the cell cycle. When fast-dividing mammalian cells are grown in culture (outside the body under optimal growing conditions), the length of the cycle is about 24 hours. In rapidly dividing human cells with a 24-hour cell cycle, the G1 phase lasts approximately nine hours, the S phase lasts 10 hours, the G2 phase lasts about four and one-half hours, and the M phase lasts approximately one-half hour. In early embryos of fruit flies, the cell cycle is completed in about eight minutes. The timing of events in the cell cycle is controlled by mechanisms that are both internal and external to the cell.

PDF page 429: The length of the cell cycle is highly variable, even within the cells of a single organism. In humans, the frequency of cell turnover ranges from a few hours in early embryonic development, to an average of two to five days for epithelial cells, and to an entire human lifetime spent in G0 by specialized cells, such as cortical neurons or cardiac muscle cells. There is also variation in the time that a cell spends in each phase of the cell cycle. When fast-dividing mammalian cells are grown in culture (outside the body under optimal growing conditions), the length of the cycle is about 24 hours. In rapidly dividing human cells with a 24-hour cell cycle, the G1 phase lasts approximately nine hours, the S phase lasts 10 hours, the G2 phase lasts about four and one-half hours, and the M phase lasts approximately one-half hour. In early embryos of fruit flies, the cell cycle is completed in about eight minutes. The timing of events in the cell cycle is controlled by mechanisms that are both internal and external to the cell.

PDF page 429: Both the initiation and inhibition of cell division are triggered by events external to the cell when it is about to begin the replication process. An event may be as simple as the death of a nearby cell or as sweeping as the release of growthpromoting hormones, such as human growth hormone (HGH). A lack of HGH can inhibit cell division, resulting in dwarfism, whereas too much HGH can result in gigantism. Crowding of cells can also inhibit cell division. Another factor that can initiate cell division is the size of the cell; as a cell grows, it becomes inefficient due to its decreasing surface-tovolume ratio. The solution to this problem is to divide. Whatever the source of the message, the cell receives the signal, and a series of events within the cell allows it to proceed into interphase. Moving forward from this initiation point, every parameter required during each cell cycle phase must be met or the cycle cannot progress.

PDF page 429: Both the initiation and inhibition of cell division are triggered by events external to the cell when it is about to begin the replication process. An event may be as simple as the death of a nearby cell or as sweeping as the release of growthpromoting hormones, such as human growth hormone (HGH). A lack of HGH can inhibit cell division, resulting in dwarfism, whereas too much HGH can result in gigantism. Crowding of cells can also inhibit cell division. Another factor that can initiate cell division is the size of the cell; as a cell grows, it becomes inefficient due to its decreasing surface-tovolume ratio. The solution to this problem is to divide. Whatever the source of the message, the cell receives the signal, and a series of events within the cell allows it to proceed into interphase. Moving forward from this initiation point, every parameter required during each cell cycle phase must be met or the cycle cannot progress.

PDF page 430: checkpoint. Proper chromosome duplication is assessed at the G2 checkpoint. Attachment of each kinetochore to a spindle fiber is assessed at the M checkpoint. The G1 Checkpoint The G1 checkpoint determines whether all conditions are favorable for cell division to proceed. The G1 checkpoint, also called the restriction point (in yeast), is a point at which the cell commits to the cell division process. External influences, such as growth factors, play a large role in carrying the cell past the G1 checkpoint. In addition to adequate reserves and cell size, there is a check for genomic DNA damage at the G1 checkpoint. A cell that does not meet all the requirements will not be allowed to progress into the S phase. The cell can halt the cycle and attempt to remedy the problematic condition, or the cell can advance into G0 and await further signals when conditions improve. The G2 Checkpoint The G2 checkpoint bars entry into the mitotic phase if certain conditions are not met. As at the G1 checkpoint, cell size and protein reserves are assessed. However, the most important role of the G2 checkpoint is to ensure that all of the chromosomes have been replicated and that the replicated DNA is not damaged. If the checkpoint mechanisms detect problems with the DNA, the cell cycle is halted, and the cell attempts to either complete DNA replication or repair the damaged DNA. The M Checkpoint The M checkpoint occurs near the end of the metaphase stage of karyokinesis. The M checkpoint is also known as the spindle checkpoint, because it determines whether all the sister chromatids are correctly attached to the spindle microtubules. Because the separation of the sister chromatids during anaphase is an irreversible step, the cycle will not proceed until the kinetochores of each pair of sister chromatids are firmly anchored to at least two spindle fibers arising from opposite poles of the cell.

PDF page 430: checkpoint. Proper chromosome duplication is assessed at the G2 checkpoint. Attachment of each kinetochore to a spindle fiber is assessed at the M checkpoint. The G1 Checkpoint The G1 checkpoint determines whether all conditions are favorable for cell division to proceed. The G1 checkpoint, also called the restriction point (in yeast), is a point at which the cell commits to the cell division process. External influences, such as growth factors, play a large role in carrying the cell past the G1 checkpoint. In addition to adequate reserves and cell size, there is a check for genomic DNA damage at the G1 checkpoint. A cell that does not meet all the requirements will not be allowed to progress into the S phase. The cell can halt the cycle and attempt to remedy the problematic condition, or the cell can advance into G0 and await further signals when conditions improve. The G2 Checkpoint The G2 checkpoint bars entry into the mitotic phase if certain conditions are not met. As at the G1 checkpoint, cell size and protein reserves are assessed. However, the most important role of the G2 checkpoint is to ensure that all of the chromosomes have been replicated and that the replicated DNA is not damaged. If the checkpoint mechanisms detect problems with the DNA, the cell cycle is halted, and the cell attempts to either complete DNA replication or repair the damaged DNA. The M Checkpoint The M checkpoint occurs near the end of the metaphase stage of karyokinesis. The M checkpoint is also known as the spindle checkpoint, because it determines whether all the sister chromatids are correctly attached to the spindle microtubules. Because the separation of the sister chromatids during anaphase is an irreversible step, the cycle will not proceed until the kinetochores of each pair of sister chromatids are firmly anchored to at least two spindle fibers arising from opposite poles of the cell.