2.3 + 2.4 - cell division Flashcards
how do chromosomes appear when the cell is not actively dividing
chromosomes are translucent to light and electrons
so we cannot see them under a microscope
how do chromosomes appear when the cell is actively dividing
chromosomes condense, becoming shorter and denser
they can now take up stain easily so can be seen under a light microscope
describe the role of histones during the condensation of chromosomes
-histones are positively charged basic proteins
-DNA winds around a histone to form nucleosomes (dense clusters)
-nucleosomes combine in a chain and coil, then supercoil to form chromatin
-this chromatin winds up to form a dense chromosome visible under a microscope
-in supercoiled areas genes are not able to be copied to make proteins
What is the function of mitosis
Growth, repair and asexual reproduction
Describe interphase
-a period of non-division where the cell increases in size, mass, carries out normal cellular activities, replicates DNA and organelles to have 2 copies of everything
what are the stages of the cell cycle
G1, G1 checkpoint, S, G2, G2 checkpoint, M, metaphase checkpoint, C
G1, S, G2 are part of interphase
what occurs during G1 phase
-organelles replicate
-size of cell increases and mass of cell increases
what occurs during S phase
-chromosomes replicate becoming double stranded chromatids
what occurs during G2 phase
-organelles replicate
-chromosomes are checked and repaired
-size and mass of cell increase
what chemical controls the cell cycle
-cyclins (protein)
-cyclins build up during interphase and attach to cyclin-dependent kinases (another protein)
-the cyclin-CDK complex phosphorylates other proteins, changing their shape in order to bring about the next phase of the cell cycle
describe prophase
-2 sister chromatids are joined together at the centromere
-chromosomes condense to become visible
-nucleolus and nuclear membrane break down
-the centrioles pull apart to begin to form spindle fibres
describe metaphase
-centrioles move to opposite poles of the cell forming spindle fibers which attach to the centromere of the chromosomes
-spindle fibers move the chromosomes to line up along the metaphase plate
describe anaphase
-the centromeres that originally linked the 2 chromatids split
-spindle fibres contract
-the chromatids from each pair are pulled to opposite poles of the cell
describe telophase
-spindle fibers break down
-nuclear envelopes form around the 2 sets of chromosomes
-nucleoli and centrioles reform
-chromosomes begin to unravel, becoming less dense and harder to see
describe cytokinesis in animal cells
-a ring of contractile fibers tighten around the centre of the cell until 2 cells have been separated
-2 genetically identical daughter cells are formed with a diploid nucleus (46 chromosomes)
describe cytokinesis in plant cells
-a cellulose cell wall builds up from the inside of the cell outwards
-2 genetically identical daughter cells are formed with a diploid nucleus
what are the advantages and disadvantages of asexual reproduction
advantages
-doesn’t rely on finding a mate
-less energy needed
-many offspring are produced
disadvantages
-no genetic variation in the species, so if conditions change becoming unfavorable the hole population is affected
name strategies for asexual reproduction
sporulation
fragmentation
budding
vegetative propagation
describe sporulation
the organism undergoes mitosis which produces asexual spores
these asexual spores grow into new organisms
describe fragmentation
organisms reproduce from fragments of themselves
describe budding
there is an outgrowth from the parent organism, which grows into a smaller identical organism, which eventually becomes detached and exists as a separate organism
describe vegetative propagation
the parent organism develops a structure that grows into an independent separate organism
the new organism can be grown from any part of the parent plant
the parent plant stores food from photosynthesis in the soil
definition of growth
a permanent increase in cell number, mass or size
what is dry mass and why is it used to measure growth
the mass of the body of an organism with all the water removed from it
it is used to measure growth because the water content of cells within an organism can vary greatly, so when measuring mass to monitor growth it can give misleading results
where does meiosis take place
for animals in the gonads (ovaries and testes)
when does crossing-over and independent assortment occur
in meiosis 1
Prophase 1 - crossing over
Metaphase 1 - independent assortment
describe what is meant by independent assortment
occurs during metaphase 1
when homologous pairs line up at the equator of the cell it is random which side of the equator the maternal and paternal chromosome from each homologous pair end up
describe what is meant by crossing-over
at the chiasmata, enzyme complexes cut and join parts of the maternal and paternal chromatids together
resulting in new combination of alleles
what are the stages of meiosis
interphase
prophase 1
metaphase 1
anaphase 1
telophase 1
sometimes cytokinesis
prophase 2
metaphase 2
anaphase 2
telophase 2
cytokinesis
describe the prophase 1 stage of meiosis
-2 daughter chromatids are joined together at the centrosmere
-chromosomes condense to become visible
-homologous chromosomes link together at the chiasmata
-crossing-over takes place
-nucleolus and nuclear membrane breaks down
-centrioles move to opposite poles of the cell, which starts forming spindle fibers