In this video, we're going to begin our introduction to cell cycle regulation. The cell cycle, which includes cell division, is actually highly controlled and regulated. A cell is not supposed to divide whenever it wants; a cell is only supposed to divide when it receives the appropriate signals for it to divide. Cell division is highly controlled and activated by a variety of cellular signals in the form of proteins called growth factors. Growth factors can be defined as a biological substance that promotes cell division. Once again, a cell is not supposed to divide whenever it wants; a cell is only supposed to divide when it receives the appropriate signals that promote cell division.
In addition to the growth factors that can trigger cell division, there are also multiple cell cycle checkpoints that are very important in the regulation of the cell cycle. As we move forward in our course, we're going to talk more and more about these cell cycle checkpoints. Ultimately, what these cell cycle checkpoints do is they act like little stop signs for a cell. The cell will stop at these checkpoints, which prevent the cell from entering the next phase prematurely. The checkpoints are a way for the cell to stop and check to make sure everything is okay and that there are no errors before it proceeds into the next phase.
If an error is detected at any checkpoint, then a protein called p53 can either trigger repair of the error or, if the error cannot be repaired, p53 can also trigger another process called apoptosis. Apoptosis is programmed cell death and can actually be a good thing, even though it may seem like cells dying. Apoptosis would be triggered if too many errors accumulate, thus preventing the accumulation of errors by the cell undergoing apoptosis. Apoptosis can be a good thing under the right scenarios. It is actually a cell that ignores these cell cycle checkpoints that can lead to problems, more specifically, the development of cancer.
Later in our course, we are also going to talk more and more about cancer. As we move forward in our course and talk more about these cell cycle checkpoints, it's important for you to keep in mind that these cell cycle checkpoints are very important for regulating the cell cycle to ensure that cancer does not develop. This here concludes our introduction to cell cycle regulation, and as we move forward in our course, we'll talk about these cell cycle checkpoints. So, I'll see you in our next video.