Student
The Eukaryotic Cell Cycle and Cancer
Overview
INTRODUCTION
This handout complements the Click & Learn The Eukaryotic Cell Cycle and Cancer and is intended as a
straightforward introduction to the cell cycle and how it relates to cancer. For a more comprehensive student
handout, please see the in-depth version.
PROCEDURE
Follow the instructions as you proceed through the Click & Learn and answer the questions in the spaces below.
Click on the “Background” tab on the right side. Read the information and watch the videos.
1. Why is cell division important for both single-celled and multicellular organisms?
2. Why does cell division remain important to an adult organism even after it is fully developed?
3. Cells divide, differentiate, or die. What is differentiation?
4. What is apoptosis? What is its purpose?
5. What are cell cycle regulators?
6. What happens if cell cycle regulators don’t function properly?
Click on the purple section labeled “Cell Cycle Phases” as well as the words “Mitosis” and “Interphase” to read
an overview of the cell cycle. You can also click on the various phases.
7. Cells go through periods of growth and division. Cell division occurs during ____________________.
The rest of the cell cycle is called interphase, during which (use the blank below to complete the sentence)