This analysis and discussion activity introduces students to the molecular and cellular biology of cancer, including the important contributions of mutations in genes that code for proteins involved in regulating the rate of cell division. The questions in this activity challenge students to interpret the information presented in prose, tables and diagrams and apply their knowledge of basic molecular and cellular biology in order to understand multiple aspects of the biology of cancer, including the contributions of a variety of environmental exposures to increased risk for different types of cancer and the long lag between exposure to carcinogens and the diagnosis of cancer. Related Learning activity Does Sunscreen Protect My DNA? () (includes experiment with yeast and suggestions for student investigations) Optional Additional Page on Cancer for High School Student Handout This figure shows how, over a lifetime, mutations can accumulate in a cell line (a cell and its descendants). The development of a cancer requires the accumulation of multiple mutations in a single cell line. Mutations that contribute to the development of cancer are relatively rare, so it typically takes decades for a cell line to accumulate the multiple mutations that cause cancer. 1 (From: Stratton, M. R. (2013), Journeys into the genome of cancer cells. EMBO Mol Med, 5: 169–172. doi:10.1002/emmm.201202388). 22. Give two examples of environmental and lifestyle exposures that can increase a risk of person’s cancer. 23. Explain how your behavior as a teenager (e.g. high exposure to the UV in sunlight or tanning beds) can affect your risk of developing cancer decades later as an older adult. 24. If a cell is unable to repair DNA damage, molecular processes within the cell may result in cell suicide (programmed cell death). When a cell in your body has DNA damage that the cell cannot repair, how could cell suicide be helpful? Template for cutting cardboard pieces for student experiments.
This analysis and discussion activity introduces students to the molecular and cellular biology of cancer, including the important contributions of mutations in genes that code for proteins involved in regulating the rate of cell division. The questions in this activity challenge students to interpret the information presented in prose, tables and diagrams and apply their knowledge of basic molecular and cellular biology in order to understand multiple aspects of the biology of cancer, including the contributions of a variety of environmental exposures to increased risk for different types of cancer and the long lag between exposure to carcinogens and the diagnosis of cancer. Related Learning activity Does Sunscreen Protect My DNA? () (includes experiment with yeast and suggestions for student investigations) Optional Additional Page on Cancer for High School Student Handout This figure shows how, over a lifetime, mutations can accumulate in a cell line (a cell and its descendants). The development of a cancer requires the accumulation of multiple mutations in a single cell line. Mutations that contribute to the development of cancer are relatively rare, so it typically takes decades for a cell line to accumulate the multiple mutations that cause cancer. 1 (From: Stratton, M. R. (2013), Journeys into the genome of cancer cells. EMBO Mol Med, 5: 169–172. doi:10.1002/emmm.201202388). 22. Give two examples of environmental and lifestyle exposures that can increase a person’s risk of cancer. 23. Explain how your behavior as a teenager (e.g. high exposure to the UV in sunlight or tanning beds) can affect your risk of developing cancer decades later as an older adult. 24. If a cell is unable to repair DNA damage, molecular processes within the cell may result in cell suicide (programmed cell death). When a cell in your body has DNA damage that the cell cannot repair, how could cell suicide be helpful? Template for cutting cardboard pieces for student experiments.