Download Mitotic Division in Cancer Cells Name: Grading Rubric Period

Mitotic Division in Cancer Cells
Grading Rubric
Name:_________________________________
Period:______ Date:______________________
1. Prepare a bar graph that compares the length of time spent in each phase of the cell cycle for
healthy and cancerous cells. (1 point per bullet; 4 points max)
 X/Y axes are correctly labeled and include units when appropriate
 Graph appropriately scaled and data correctly represented
 Descriptive and appropriate title
 Data correctly identified with a key
2. Run a chi-square analysis on the data from Table 1 to determine whether there is a significant
difference in the number of cells found in each phase for cancerous stomach cells.
 Correct setup and use of the X2 formula (1 point)
3. Analysis of Data
a. General trend in data summarized (1 point)
 Both cancerous and healthy cells spend more time in interphase than M phase
b. Comparison of data (1 point)
 Cancerous cells spend more time in M phase and less time in interphase than do
healthy cells.
OR
 Healthy cells spend less time in M phase and more time in interphase than do
cancerous cells
c. Chi Square analysis (1 point per bullet, 5 points max)
 Null hypothesis is correctly stated
 Comparison of X2 value to critical value
 P-value and degrees of freedom are identified
 Reject/fail to reject null hypothesis
 What it means to reject/fail to reject null hypothesis
d. Elaboration of analysis
 Cancerous cells have lost the function of 2 or more genes that are involved in cell cycle
control. (1 point)

Example of gene and description of loss of function (1 point per column; 2 points max)
Gene (1 point max)
Loss of Function (1 point max)
p53
tumor suppressor; checkpoints ignored; increased speed of cell
apoptosis signal;
cycle/division
stalls cell cycle
RAS
proto-oncogene;
Cell cycle overstimulated; increased speed of cell
stimulates cell
cycle/cell division
cycle
Cyclins proto-oncogene;
Cell cycle overstimulated; increased speed of cell
stimulates cell
cycle/cell division
cycle