Question

A drug that is used to prevent the cell cycle from proceeding could be used as a way to treat cancer. if this drug binds to the proteins that join together to make microtubules and therefore prevents microtubule elongation, what effect might this have on dividing cells?

Answer 1

When a drug prevents microtubule elongation, it disrupts mitosis and results in cell cycle arrest in dividing cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a drug binds to the proteins that make microtubules and prevents microtubule elongation, it can have a significant effect on dividing cells. Microtubules are essential for proper cell division, specifically during mitosis. They form the spindle fibers that help separate the duplicated chromosomes into the daughter cells.

By inhibiting microtubule elongation, the drug disrupts mitosis and prevents proper chromosome separation, leading to cell cycle arrest and potentially triggering apoptosis (cell death) in the dividing cells.