NAME:__________________________________________DATE:_____________________PER:_______
BIOLOGY
Mitosis
Next Generation Sunshine State Standard
SC.912.L.16.14: Describe the cell cycle, including the process of mitosis. Explain the role of mitosis in the formation of
new cells and its importance in maintaining chromosome number during asexual reproduction.
Common Core Scientific Literacy Standard
Compare and contrast findings presented in a text to those from other sources (including their own experiments), noting
when the findings support or contradict previous explanations or accounts.
Mitosis Gets Harder Thanks To New Gene Discovery
ScienceDaily (Apr. 3, 2008) — A biological process taught to every student studying biology has just become a
little more complicated thanks to a new discovery. Scientists from the University of Bath have found that a
protein called RASSF7 is essential for mitosis, the process by which a cell divides in two.
In research published in the journal Molecular Biology of the Cell, the scientists have shown that the protein is
essential for building the microtubules that allow the two halves of the cell to slide apart. “What makes mitosis
so interesting is that it is one of the biological processes that everyone remembers from their days at school,”
said Dr Andrew Chalmers from the University’s Department of Biology & Biochemistry.
“As well as being one of Nature’s most important processes, our interest in mitosis stems from the fact that if
you want to kill cancer cells, then stopping them from dividing is a useful way of doing this.
“Several cancer treatments block cell division by targeting microtubules, Taxol is a well known example. It is
even possible that RASSF7 might be a future drug target”.
During the different phases of mitosis the pairs of chromosomes within the cell condense and attach to
microtubule fibres that pull the sister chromatids to opposite sides of the cell. The cell then divides in
cytokinesis, to produce two identical daughter cells.
RASSF7 is the latest of a battery of proteins involved in managing the complex process of mitosis. “During
mitosis, the chromosomes containing the DNA are pulled apart in two halves by an array of microtubules
centred on the centrosomes,” said Dr Chalmers.
“Without the RASSF7 protein, the microtubules do not develop properly and cell division is halted. “This is the
first functional study of this protein, and we hope to extend our knowledge of how it works in the future.”
The work was carried out in Dr Chalmers laboratory by Dr Victoria Sherwood and two final year undergraduate
project students from the University, Ria Manbodh and Carol Sheppard. The research was funded by the
Medical Research Council.
University of Bath (2008, April 3). Mitosis Gets Harder Thanks To New Gene
Discovery. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 6, 2011, from
http://www.sciencedaily.com- /releases/2008/04/080403104400.htm
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NAME:__________________________________________DATE:_____________________PER:_______
BIOLOGY
1. Read the article, “Mitosis gets harder thanks to new gene discovery.” After reading the article (5-­‐10 minutes),
write down everything you can remember in the box below. The process of recalling the information is important, so do not return to the article at this point.
2. Return to the article if necessary an answer the following questions. Yo may also need to draw from your
knowledge of biology and you should feel free to use your text or other resource.
a) What is the primary goal of mitosis?
b) Sequence the major events of mitosis.
c) Describe the specific role of RASSF7 in mitosis using the information in the article.
d) List three mitosis related concepts from this article that you have also come across in your text, lectures, notes,
or laboratory investigations.
© Monahan 2012