1.6 genetic information is copied and passed on to daughter cells Flashcards
what are chromosomes made of?
DNA, which is wound around histone proteins
in a cell that is not dividing, the chromosomes are (unwound/wound) single structures and are (visible/not visible)?
unwound
not visible
CALLED CHROMATIN
what happens prior to cell division?
the DNA replicates so each chromosome consists of two identical DNA molecules
(the two identical molecules are joined at an area callrd the centromere)
where are the two identical chromatids joined at?
the centromere
what happens at the beginning of cell division?
the chromatin condenses
what does it mean that the chromatin condenses at the beginning of cell division?
the chromatin coils so tightly that the chromosomes become visible
what are the two identical parts of the chromosome called?
what are they joined by?
- chromatids
- joined by the centromere
what are the chromatids in one chromosome called?
sister chromatids
(they are genetically identical)
what is the name of the pairs of chromosomes in most body cells of most organisms?
homologous pairs
what are homologous pairs?
the chromosomes in pairs that do not have identical DNA to each other
- one of each pair has been inherited from the male parent and the other of each pair has been interited from the female parent
why are homologous pairs termed homologous?
because they are the same size and shape and carry the same genes in the same order at the same gene locus (position of the gene on the chromosome).
the alleles can be the same or can be different
what is the gene locus?
the position of the gene on the chromosome
what are alleles?
different forms of a gene
what is the name for cells where the chromosomes are paired?
diploid
what is the name for cells where the chromosomes are unpaired?
haploid
(e.g gametes)
by what can diploid cells divide by?
mitosis or meiosis
by what can haploid cells divide by?
only by mitosis
chromatin consists of ___ wrapped around histones?
DNA
DNA ___ prior to cell division?
replicates
sister ____ are genetically identical?
chromatids
what are the cell cycle stages?
- G1 (growth)
- S (synthesis)
- G2 (growth and preparation for mitosis)
- M (mitosis)
- C (cytokinesis)
G1, S and G2 phases are collectively called interphase
what phases are found is interphase?
G1, S and G2
what is the S phase in the cell cycle?
- where DNA replication takes place
- and only happens if the cell is going to proceed to mitosis or meiosis
when does the S phase only happen?
if the cell is going to proceed to mitosis or meiosis
in what phase in the cell cycle are cells that are carrying out their functions?
in the G1 phase for their lifespan
what is cytokinesis?
the division of cytoplasm to form two new cells, each with a nucleus
what is the cell doing in interphase?
- synthesising ATP
- FORMATION/SYNTHESIS OF organelles
- carrying out protein synthesis
- increasing in (cell) size
- replicating DNA
at G1, the DNA content of a cell is (constant/doubled/halved)?
constant
in the S phase, the DNA content of a cell is (constant/doubled/halved)?
doubles
because the DNA has replicated
in mitosis, the DNA content of a cell is (constant/doubled/halved)?
constant
the DNA content remains constant as thr chromosomes condense, align at the equator and are pulled to the pole inside the cell
in cytokinesis, the DNA content of a cell is (constant/doubled/halved)?
halves
as cytokinesis takes place and each new nucleus is now in a new cell
what are the 4 stages of mitosis?
- prophase
- metaphase
- anaphase
- telophase
what happens in prophase?
- chromosomes condense and become visible as 2 sister chromatids joined by a centromere
- centrioles migrate to the opposite sides of thr cell (the poles)
- the spindle begins to form in animal cells only, made by the centrioles
- the nucleur envelope disintegrates and the chromosomes scatter through the cell
- the nucleolus disappears
what happens in metaphase?
- the spindle completes
- the microtubules go from one side of thr cell to the other (from pole to pole)
- the chromosomes align at the equator of the cell and attach to the spindle fibres by the centromere
- each chromosome is attached to one spindle fibre
what happens in anaphase?
- the spindle fibres shorten pulling the chromatids to the poles of the cell by the centromeres
- the centrmere divides
- sister chromatids from one chromosome are pulled to opposite poles
- at this point the chromatids are called chromosomes again
what happens in telophase?
- the chromosomes reach the poles of the cell and uncoil
- the spindle fibres break down
- new nuclear membranes form around each set of chromosomes
how does mitosis differ in plant and animal cells in terms of centrioles and spindle fibres?
- plant cells lack centrioles, so although they have a spindle, it is not generated by centrioles
- in animal cells, the spindle degenerates at telophase but in plants it remains as the new cell wall is formed
how does mitosis differ in plant and animal cells at cytokinesis?
- at cytokinesis, animal cells form a cleavage furrow where the cytoplasm indents
- in plant cells a cell plate forms between thr two nuclei and this develops into the new cell wall
do the two daughter cells after mitosis have the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell?
yes
mitosis produces two new identical daughter cells, so the cells have the same chromosome number as the parent cell
what is mitosis used for?
- growth by making new cells
- repairing tissues by replacing damaged cells
- asexual reproduction; all the individuals produces are genetically identical
where does mitosis happen in animals?
- in a number of different tissues
where does mitosis happen in plants?
- it is confined to meristematic tisshes such as root and shoot tips and the cambium in stems
what is the length of the cell cycle controlled by?
genes
- they control the cell cycle by acting as a brake, preventing the cell cycle from repeating continually
- if these genes are damaged, the cell cycle can be shorter and mitosis is uncontrolled
what can uncontrolled mitosis lead to?
tumours forming and cancers
why is the root tip used in the practical of drawing cells from slides of root tp to show stages of mitosis instead of shoot tip?
the tissue is transparent and more easily locatable
- also the root tip is a growing region of the plant/meristem
- many cells undergoing mitosis here
what is the mitotic index?
the % of cells undergoing mitosis that cab be seen at any one time
(it is the number of cells visible in prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase all together, divided by the total number of cells in the field of view x100)