describe the cell cycle and what stage might cancer cell start developing

Running head: cell cycle and cancer

Cell cycle and cancer

Cell cycle and cancer

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Discuss the different phases of the cell cycle. At which part of the cell cycle would you expect that a change in regulation could result in cancer? How is the cancer cell cycle different from a normal cell cycle? Provide a rationale for your answer. Remember to cite any references you use in proper APA format.

Phases of the cell cycle

G1 phase - growth and synthesis.  Gap phase 1 begins at the completion of mitosis and cytokiness and lasts until the beginning of S phase. This phase is generally the longest of the four cell cycle phases and is quite variable in length. During this phase, the cell chooses either to replicate its deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or to exit the cell cycle and enter a quiescent state (the G0 phase).  S phase  Replication of the chromosomes is restricted to one specific portion of interphase, called S phase (DNA synthesis phase), which typically lasts about 6 h. In mammalian cells, the start of S phase—the actual initiation of DNA synthesis—takes place several hours after the cell has committed to carrying out DNA synthesis. During S phase, each chromosome replicates exactly once to form a pair of physically linked sister chromatids. In animal cells, a pair of centrioles is also duplicated during S phase.  G2 phase - Preparation for division  The portion of interphase that follows S phase is called gap phase 2. Some cells can exit the cell cycle from G2 phase, just as they can from G1 phase.  M phase  M phase includes the overlapping processes of mitosis and cytokinesis. Mitosis is divided into five stages: prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Cytokinesis usually begins during anaphase and ends at a point after the completion of mitosis. At the end of cytokinesis, the parent cell has formed its two G1 phase progeny and the cell is ready to repeat the cycle.

At which part of the cell cycle would you expect that a change in regulation could result in cancer?

M phase in which cell division occurs

How is the cancer cell cycle different from a normal cell cycle?

Cancer cell cycle is different from the normal cell cycle in that in normal cells, the cell cycle is controlled by a complex series of signaling pathways by which a cell grows, replicates its DNA and divides. This process also includes mechanisms to ensure errors are corrected, and if not, the cells commit suicide (apoptosis). In cancer, as a result of genetic mutations, this regulatory process malfunctions, resulting in uncontrolled cell proliferation.

References

Blagosklonny, M. V. (2001). Cell cycle checkpoints and cancer. Georgetown, Tex.: Landes Bioscience.

Enders, G. H. (2010). Cell cycle deregulation in cancer. New York: Springer