ASBiologyAQARevision NotesCell StructureCell Division in Eukaryotic & Prokaryotic CellsUncontrolled Cell Division & Cancer

Uncontrolled Cell Division & Cancer (AQA AS Biology): Revision Note

Exam code: 7401

Lára Marie McIvor

Written by: Lára Marie McIvor

Reviewed by: Ruth Brindle

Updated on

Uncontrolled cell division & cancer

  • Mitosis is normally a controlled process

  • Cancer results from uncontrolled mitosis, forming a tumour (an abnormal mass of cells)

  • Mutations in genes controlling the cell cycle (e.g. oncogenes, tumour suppressor genes) can lead to this loss of control

    • These mutations may

      • cause continuous cell division

      • prevent programmed cell death (apoptosis)

Cancer treatments

  • Most cancer treatments aim to slow or stop mitosis in rapidly dividing cells

  • Some examples include

    • Methotrexate: a drug which inhibits DNA nucleotide synthesis

    • Taxol: a drug which prevents disassembly of spindle fibres (freezing mitosis)

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Whilst you are not required to know specific examples of cancer treatment drugs, it is common for exam questions to provide information about a drug with an expectation that you can apply your knowledge of the cell cycle to explain how they work.

Note also that you will study uncontrolled cell division and cancer in more detail when you reach Unit 8: The Control of Gene Expression.

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Author
Reviewer
Lára Marie McIvor

Author: Lára Marie McIvor

Expertise: Biology, Psychology & Sociology Subject Lead

Lára graduated from Oxford University in Biological Sciences and has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Lára has a particular interest in the area of infectious disease and epidemiology, and enjoys creating original educational materials that develop confidence and facilitate learning.

Ruth Brindle

Reviewer: Ruth Brindle

Expertise: Biology Content Creator

Ruth graduated from Sheffield University with a degree in Biology and went on to teach Science in London whilst also completing an MA in innovation in Education. With 10 years of teaching experience across the 3 key science disciplines, Ruth decided to set up a tutoring business to support students in her local area. Ruth has worked with several exam boards and loves to use her experience to produce educational materials which make the mark schemes accessible to all students.

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