What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help
you master the cell at the basic structural and functional unit of life. The scope of
this module permits it to be used in many different learning situations. The
language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are
arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read
them can be changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.

The module is divided into three lessons, namely:

Lesson 1 - Cell Cycle

After going through this module, you are expected to:
1. characterize the phases of the cell cycle and their control points.

At the end of the lesson the students should be able to:

1. define cell cycle and checkpoints;
2. discuss the phases of cell cycle and its checkpoint; and
3. show the role of cell cycle in cell growth and cancer cell formation.

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter
on a separate sheet of paper.

1. Cells that rarely divide will spend most of their time in what particular
phase of the cell cycle?
a. Go
b. G1
C. G2
d. S
2. If the cell contains 20 chromatids, how many centromeres are present
inside the cell?
a. 10
b. 20
C. 30
d. 40
3. This phase of cell cycle is commonly known as growth phase, because
during this stage cell grows.
a. Go
b. G1
C. G2
d. S

4. This check point of the cycle dictates whether the cell

Will continuously divide or stop, and it also checks the cell size, presence of growth
factors and damage of the DNA.
a. G1 checkpoint
b. G2 checkpoint
C. S checkpoint
d. M checkpoint
5. In this phase, the cell is preparing for the cell division in the mitotic
stage.
a. Go c. G2
b. G1 d. S
6. In the eukaryotic cell, it is the longest stage of the cell cycle and generally its function
is to prepare the cell to division process.
a. Interphase c. Synthesis Phase
b. Mitotic phase d. All of the above
7. DNA replication occurs in what phase of cell cycle?
a. Interphase
b. Growth phase
C. Mitotic phase
d. Synthesis Phase
8. Which checkpoint ensures sister chromatids are positioned to be split
correctly?
a. G1 checkpoint
b. G2 checkpoint
C. S checkpoint
d. M checkpoint
9. What is the main prerequisite for clearance at the G2 checkpoint?
a. G1 checkpoint
b. G2 checkpoint
c. S checkpoint
d. M checkpoint
10. Inactivation of what kind of gene that can lead to the development of
cancer cells.
a. Cancer cell
b. Oncogene
C. Proto-oncogene
d. Tumor suppressor gene
11. In this phase, the cell is preparing for the cell division of the mitotic
phase.
a. Go c. G2
b. GI d. S
12. If the M checkpoint is not cleared, what specific stage of mitosis will
be blocked?
a. Anaphase
b. Metaphase
C. Prophase
d. Telophase
13. Majority of the negative regulator proteins of the cell cycle can be
found in what kind of cells?
a. Cancer cells
b. Gametes
c. Stem cells
d. All of the above
14. What type of gene can code a positive cell cycle regulator?
a. Apoptosis
b. Oncogene
C. Proto-oncogene
d. Tumor suppressor gene
15. Programmed cell death is known as
a. Apoptosis
b. Oncogene
C. Proto-oncogene
d. Tumor suppressor gene

LESSON 1 Biology: Cell Cycle

One of the basic characteristic of all living organisms is the ability to reproduce. It is either asexually in
unicellular organisms or sexually in multicellular organism. Sexual reproduction requires fertilization resulting
to a fertilized egg cell called zygote. All the cells in our body came from the division of the pre-existing one.

In prokaryotes, cell division can be observed through binary fission. While in the eukaryotes, cell cycle consists
of two distinct phases: Interphase and Mitotic phase. Cell cycle is a means for the continuity of life. So before
the cell divides it spends most of its life in the period of cell growth called Interphase with three sub
stages: G1 phase, S phase and G2 phase followed by M phase or Mitotic phase.

What's In
In learning the phases of cell cycle and its checkpoints, it is important that the students must have a prior
knowledge and deep understanding of the differences between plant and animal cell specifically their parts
and functions. Students should also know the role of nucleus and DNA to cellular reproduction.

As part of the lesson, a short activity will be given to the students to assess
their knowledge about cell cycle and its checkpoint.

FACT OR BLUFF
Tell whether the following statement about the phases of cell cycle and its
checkpoint is a FACT or BLUFF.
1. The correct sequence of the cell cycle phase is G| -S › G2 - M
2. Cell division in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell is the same.
3. The results of DNA replication is duplicated DNA
4. Interphase consists of mitosis and cytokinesis as its stage.
5. Bacterial cell divides through binary fission.
6. Unregulated cell division can lead to cancer cells formation.
7. Cell spends most its time and life in the first gap phase.
8. Cell cycle is a repeating series of events that describes the life cycle of a
cell.
9. A mass of abnormal cells is called a tumor.
10. The process in which a cell divides is known as mitosis.

What's New

Activity 1. Create Me Now!

Direction: Make a creative diagram that illustrates the continuous set of events
(stages) that occur during the cell cycle. Make sure to labels each phases of the cell
cycle.

*Note: Rubric will be used to give points/ grade for the output.

Materials:
Coloring materials ¼ Manila paper
Pentel pen Ballpen/Pencil

What is It

A cell cycle is a series of events that takes place in a cell as

it grows and divides. A cell spends most of its time in what
is called interphase, and during this time it grows,
replicates its chromosomes, and prepares for cell division.
The cell then leaves interphase, undergoes mitosis, and
completes its division. The resulting cells, known as
daughter cells, each enter their own interphase and begin
a new round of the cell cycle.

Phases of cell cycle include two major activities:

1. Interphase
2. M-phase (Mitotic phase)
Interphase is the longest phase of the cell cycle process. It is also the known as the resting phase. Although the
cell is at rest but it is metabolically active. The metabolic activities of the cell can be observed through cell
growth production of nutrients and enzymes and replication of DNA.

Interphase has 3 sub-stages:

1. G phase (Gap1 phase / Growth 1 phase)
2. S-phase (Synthesis phase)
3. G phase (Gap2 phase / Growth 2 phase)

G1 phase (Gap, phase/Growth 1 phase) the cell increases in size, proteinsynthesis also occurs enable the cell
to increase the amount of cytosol.

Synthesis phase is the longest and the most essential stage of interphase. It is due to the complexity of the
replication of genetic material which results to the duplication of DNA prior to the cell division process.

G2 phase (Gap2 phase/ Growth 2 phase) is the final stage where the cell prepares itself for cell division process,
and also ensures that the DNA replication completes.

Cell cycle checkpoints verify whether all the cellular activities are accurately completed at each stage of
interphase.

In eukaryotic cells, there are three major checkpoints that control the cell cycle process. They are:
1. G1 checkpoint at the G1/S transition
2. G2 checkpoint at the G2/M transition
3. Spindle checkpoint, transition from metaphase and anaphase

G1 checkpoint checks the following:

a. Cell's size (Does the cell large increase its size or large enough for cell division?)
b. Nutrients (Does the cell have enough reserve energy and nutrients for cell division?)
c. DNA integrity (Is any part of the DNA damaged?)
d. d. Molecular signals (Does the cell receives growth factors and other signals from neighboring cell?)

If the cell does not comply with the following factors, cell cycle will stop and enters the Go phase called the
resting state. Some cell stays in Go phase permanently, while others proceed to divide if the condition of the
cell improves.

G2 checkpoint checks the following:

a. DNA integrity (Is any part of the DNA damaged?)
b. DNA replication (Is the DNA replication completed in the S phase?)

If there is an error, the cell will pause at the G2 phase and allow for some repairs. If the damage is within the
DNA, the cell cycle will paused and let the cell complete the DNA replication or repair it. But if the damage cell
is irreparable, the cell will undergo apoptosis or cell death. It is the self- destruction mechanism of the cell to
ensure that the damaged DNA is not passed on the daughter cells and also important in preventing cancer.
There are some cells that never or rarely divide like matured cardiac muscle and
nerve cell that permanently retains in Go.

Metaphase checkpoint or Spindle checkpoint occurs at metaphase stage of mitosis. It is regulated by

Anaphase-promoting complex (APC). It checks whether all chromosomes are properly attached to the spindle
fibers and its alignment at the metaphase plate. If there are mistakes, the cell delays it anaphase process.

Cancer is the result of the unregulated process of the cell cycle due to the breakdown of the mechanisms that
controls the entire process. It happens during the synthesis phase, wherein the cell cannot determine the
changes in the DNA sequence that code for the specific regulatory molecules.

Oncogenes are the genes that cause the cell to become cancerous.

Proto-oncogenes are the genes that code for positive regulators during cell cycle. When these normal genes
are altered by mutation it can be an oncogenes leading to cancer cells formation.

Tumor suppressor genes are healthy normal genes that slow down cell division, helps to repair DNA mistakes
and also cell apoptosis or cell death. It codes for the negative regulator protein, when activated can prevent
the cell from uncontrolled division. But when tumor suppressor gene does not work properly,
cell division will be out of control and it can also lead to cancer.

What's More

Activity 1.1

Match Me, Match Me!!!

Matching Type: Match the terms in Column A, with different words related to cell
cycle and checkpoints in Column B. Write your answer on separate answer
sheet/paper.

Column A Column B

1. Cell cycle A. Cell's series of events

2. Go phase B. Chromosomes alignment and attachment
3. Interphase C. DNA replication
4. Metaphase checkpoint D. Period of cell growth
5. Synthesis phase E. Resting state

Activity 1.2

Check, check, checkpoints!

Put a check mark on each checkpoints that corresponds to its function.

Activity 1.3

Cell Cycle and Checkpoints Story

Make a creative short story about the phases of cell cycle and its checkpoints.
Highlight each function of the checkpoints and the characteristics of the cell during
the different stages of the cycle.

Rubric:

1. Cell cycle is the series of events that occur in a cell to prepare cell division and to produce
two new daughter cells.
2. Cell cycle checkpoints verify whether all the cellular activities are accurately completed at
each stage of interphase.
3. Interphase is the longest phase of the cell cycle process. It is also the known as the resting
phase.
4. Go phase called the resting state.
5. G1 phase (Gap phase) the cell increases in size, proteinsynthesis also
occurs enable the cell to increase the amount of cytosol.
6. Synthesis phase is the longest and the most essential stage of interphase. It is due to the
complexity of the replication of genetic material which results to the duplication of DNA
prior to the cell division process.
 7. G2 phase (Gap2 phase) is the final stage where the cell prepares itself for cell division
process, and also ensures that the DNA replication completes.
8. G1 checkpoint checks the cell size, nutrients, DNA and molecular signals.
9. G2 checkpoint checks the DNA and complete DNA replication in S phase.
10. Metaphase checkpoint or Spindle checkpoint occurs at metaphase stage of
mitosis and regulated by Anaphase-promoting complex (APC).
11. Cancer is the result of the unregulated process of the cell cycle due to the
breakdown of the mechanisms that controls the entire process. It happens
during the synthesis phase, wherein the cell cannot determine the changes in the DNA
sequence that code for the specific regulatory molecules.
12. Oncogenes are the genes that cause the cell to become cancerous.
13. Proto-oncogenes are the genes that code for positive regulators during cell cycle. When
these normal genes are altered by mutation it can be an oncogenes leading to cancer cells
formation.
14. Tumor suppressor genes are healthy normal genes that slow down cell division, helps to
repair DNA mistakes and also cell apoptosis or cell death. It codes for the negative regulator
protein, when activated can prevent the cell from uncontrolled division. But when tumor
suppressor gene does not work properly, cell division will be out of control and it can also lead
to cancer.

Answer Key

What I know

AABACADDBDCAACA

What’s more

AEDBC

ASSESSMENT

ABACADCDBDCAAAC