Virtual Lab: The Cell Cycle and Cancer Instructions

1. Click on the following web-link to access the lab exercise:

http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/virtual_labs_2K8/labs/BL_03/index.html
2. Open the virtual lab: The Cell Cycle and Cancer
3. The lab simulation will be on the right side of the screen, and the Question
column will be on the left side.
4. Read all of the background information and instructions in the Question
column.
5. Click the Information button in the bottom right corner of the lab simulation.
Read all of the background information.
6. Watch the video on Mitosis by clicking on the monitor in the lab simulation.
7. Click on the microscope in the lab simulation to examine the different stages of
mitosis as they appear in different tissue samples. Three types of tissue are
available for examination: lung, stomach, and ovary. Samples of normal tissue
and cancerous tissue are included. Examine both normal and cancerous tissue for
each tissue type. Follow the instructions to label each stage of the cell cycle, and
then check your answers by clicking check. Record the number of cells in each
stage of the cell cycle in the Data Table. You must examine two different views
of each tissue type and condition click reset to view alternate samples of each
tissue type until you have recorded the number of cells in each stage of the cell
cycle for 2 different samples of each tissue.
8. Calculate the average Mitotic Index (% cells dividing) and average % cells at rest
for normal tissues. Record these numbers in the Data Table.
To calculate the average % cells at rest in normal tissue:
1. (#cells in Interphase in Sample 1 + #cells in Interphase in sample 2)/2 =
avg. # cells at rest.
2. (avg. # cells at rest/total #cells) X 100 = average % cells at rest
To calculate the Mitotic Index - average % cells dividing - in normal tissue:
1. (#cells in mitosis in Sample 1 + #cells in mitosis in Sample 2)/2 = avg.
#cells dividing
2. (avg. # cells dividing/total # cells) X 100 = average % cells dividing
Do the same calculations for cancerous tissue to complete the Data Table on the
worksheet.
9. Answer questions on the Cell Cycle and Cancer Worksheet.

Virtual Lab: The Cell Cycle and Cancer Worksheet

Name: _______________________________

Date______________

1. In which phase of mitosis do each of the following occur:

a. Centromeres split and chromosomes move toward opposite sides of the
cell
b. Chromatin coils to form visible chromosomes
c. The nuclear membrane disappears
d. Sister chromatids line up in the center of the cell
2. In which phases of mitosis are sister chromatids visible, and attached to each
other at the centromere?

Table 1: Record your data for the number of cells in each stage of the cell cycle
observed in normal tissues.
Tissue Type
Lung Tissue
Sample 1
Lung Tissue
Sample 2
Stomach Tissue
Sample 1
Stomach Tissue
Sample 2
Ovarian Tissue
Sample 1
Ovarian Tissue
Sample 2

# Cells in
Interphase

# Cells in
Prophase

# Cells in
Metaphase

# Cells in
Anaphase

# Cells in
Telophase

Table 2: Record your data for the number of cells in each stage of the cell cycle
observed in cancerous tissues.
Tissue Type

# Cells in
Interphase

# Cells in
Prophase

# Cells in
Metaphase

# Cells in
Anaphase

# Cells in
Telophase

Lung Tissue
Sample 1
Lung Tissue
Sample 2
Stomach Tissue
Sample 1
Stomach Tissue
Sample 2
Ovarian Tissue
Sample 1
Ovarian Tissue
Sample 2

Table 3: Use the data in Table 1 to calculate the Mitotic Index (average % cells
dividing) for each normal tissue type.
Tissue Type
Lung - normal
Stomach - normal
Ovary - normal

Avg. % cells at rest

Mitotic Index

Table 4: Use the data in Table 2 to calculate the average % cells dividing and
average % cells at rest in each cancerous tissue type.
Tissue Type
Lung - cancerous
Stomach - cancerous
Ovary - cancerous

Avg. % cells at rest

Mitotic Index

Questions:
3. Based on your data and observations, what are some of the differences between
normal cells and cancer cells?
4. When studying cell division in tissue samples, scientists often calculate a mitotic
index, which is the ratio of dividing cells to the total number of cells in the
sample. Which type of tissue would have a higher mitotic index, normal tissue or
cancerous tissue? Explain.
5. Different types of normal tissues in the human body have different mitotic
indices. From the following list, which normal tissues would you expect to have
the highest mitotic index: muscle, skin, kidney, or lung? Explain your answer.
6. What does your data indicate about the rate of cell division in cancerous tissue
compared to the rate of cell division in normal tissue? What data did you use to
answer this question?
7. Which type of cancer is the fastest growing? Explain your answer, using your
relevant data.
8. With what you have observed in this lab, if you were to compare tissue sample
from normal breast tissue and cancerous breast tissue:
a. Would you expect to see a difference in the rate of cell division in the
cancerous breast tissue compared to the normal breast tissue? Explain
your answer.

b. Could you make a prediction about the average % dividing cells in the
cancerous breast tissue? Explain your answer.
9. Consider the percent of dividing cells in normal lung, normal stomach, and
normal ovarian tissue. Why do you think there are more cells dividing in the
stomach and ovary tissue than in the lung tissue?
10. This lab explores three common cancers. An additional form of cancer Skin
Cancer used to be seen only in older individuals but is now seen in younger
individuals, many in their early 20s. Skin cancer results from accumulated mutations
to the DNA of skin cells, caused primarily by sun exposure. What factors do you
think may be contributing to the increase in skin cancer among young adults?