Cell Cycle Game

Games can be a really nice place to start as we begin to look at the cell cycle and factors that control growth and division. Let's spend some time exploring the cell cycle by entering the nucleus and controlling it ourselves: *cell cycle game*

Source: Nobel Prize Cell Cycle Game

Programmed Cell Death - Seemingly Crazy Biology, Part 1

Source: How Stuff Works

Programmed cell death. Sounds crazy, huh? Why would a cell want to die on purpose or commit "suicide?" Although this week we'll be focusing on cell growth and division it's also important to talk about one of the reasons why cells need to grow and divide and create more cells. Not only are cells constantly growing and dividing, but cells are also constantly dying. These cells need to be replaced.

Here's some more food for thought.* As we humans figure out ways to live longer lives we also increase our chances of getting cancer. Our cells are living longer than usual and after awhile errors can start to occur or pile up. One of those errors could lead to cancer...

* nom nom nom