Apoptosis

by courtneywalton

In bio we’re learning about the cell cycle, which is hands down my favorite concept so far. While I learned this stuff in high school and community college (shout out to DVC!), this course goes into so much more depth.

  • So the cell cycle is just a cycle some smart people discovered to help explain the division and synthesis of cells. Here’s a picture of the cycle

  • As you can see, the cycle is essentially divided into four phases: M, G1, S, G2.
  • Each phase has its own function. G1 is responsible for growth of the cell and prepare the cell for S phase. S phase is where the DNA replicates. G2 is more growth of the cell and preparation for Mitosis. And M phase is mitosis where the chromatids split and form two new cells.
  • In the cell cycle image, you can see those three purple looking bands in G1, G2, and M.
  • These bands resemble checkpoints. These checkpoints are essential to the cycle and basically they serve as quality control. The checkpoint makes sure that each cell is the way it should be: correct size, nutrients available, DNA is not damaged, chromosomes replicated correctly, etc.
  • If a cell comes across a checkpoint and is damaged in some way, the checkpoint will kill the cell. This is called apoptosis.
  • If this damaged cell doesn’t die, it will begin dividing in an uncontrolled fashion. And the consequences of uncontrolled cell division can be dire: cancer.
  • Apoptosis is the death of a cell that is for the benefit of the rest of the cell.
  • Here is a video that illustrates this apoptosis

 

 

  • So while I was sitting in class and heard my professor say “apoptosis is the death of a cell for the benefit of the rest of the cell.”  I immediately thought ‘Jesus.’
  • Jesus is the embodiment of apoptosis. Jesus’ death is for the benefit of his people.  Something that has been revealed to me over and over again is that Jesus is the one that makes it possible for us to experience God. It’s as if we are standing on one side of the Bay, God is on the other side, and Jesus is the bridge that allows us to approach God.