2.6 - B - Cell Division, Cell Diversity & Cell Differentiation Flashcards
What is a zygote?
An egg immediately after fertilisation with spunk
Define cytokinesis
Where the cytoplasm divides following mitosis, resulting in 2 new daughter cells
Define interphase
A phase of the cell cycle where the cell is not diving; it is subdivided into growth and synthesis phases
Define mitosis
A type of (asexual reproduction) cellular division that produces daughter cells genetically identical to each other and to the parent cell.
Define apoptosis
Programmed cell death (suicide)
Define senescence
Where a cell can no longer divide
State the 2 parts of the eukaryotic cell cycle and they subdivide into
Interphase -G1/G0, S (synthesis), G2
Mitosis - mitosis
Explain what happens in the G0 phase
G0 - not all cells have this phase, a resting phase triggered during early G1. The cell may undergo apoptosis, senescence or differentiation.
Explain what the G1 phase is and what happens in it
The growth phase - ensures that the cell is ready to enter the S phase and begin DNA synthesis.
Carries out growth and normal functions such as respiration and biosynthesis (protein synthesis and replication of organelles)
Cells grow and increase in size.
Transcription of genes to make RNA occurs.
Organelles duplicate.
Explain what happens in the S (synthesis) phase
DNA replicates
Once the cell enters this phase, it is committed completely to the cell cycle
When all chromosomes have been duplicated, each one consists of 2 identical sister chromatids
It is rapid because exposed DNA base pairs are more susceptible to mutagenic agents, so reduces chance of mutation
What is chromatin made out of and how long is a chromatin thread?
DNA and histones
Approx 30nm - can’t be seen under a light microscope
What is a histone?
A protein/core that DNA is wrapped around, found inside the nucleus
Explain what happens in the G2 phase
Special chemicals ensure that the cell is ready for mitosis (checked) by stimulating (proof-reading) proteins that will be involved in making chromosomes condense and in formation of the spindle. If the genes aren’t copied properly, mutations will occur and may means the new cells don’t work/don’t make the correct proteins
Why is mitosis important?
Asexual reproduction ‐ single celled organisms divide to
produce 2 daughter cells that are separate organisms ‐ some multicellular organisms produce offspring from parts of
the parent e.g. potato runners
Growth ‐ multicelluar organisms grow by making new cells ‐ they
are identical so they perform the same job
Repair/replacement ‐ damaged or old cells need to be replace with
new gentically identical ones so they can do the same job
Why don’t bacteria carry out mitosis?
Have no linear chromosomes, spindles or centrioles
List the phases of mitosis
(Interphase) Prophase Metaphase Anaphase Telophase (Cytokinesis)
Explain what happens in prophase
Prepare
The chromosomes (sister chromatids) supercoil to shorten and
thicken (they are now visible as sister chromatids under a light microscope)
The nuclear envelope breaks down
The centriole divides in 2 and each daughter centriole goes to a pole of the cell
Spindle fibres (microtubules) begin to form
Explain what happens during metaphase
Meet in the middle
The chromosomes (sister chromatids) line up along the equator of the cell
The spindle fibres attach to the centromeres of the chromosomes
What is a centromere?
The point at which 2 chromatids are connected
Explain what happens in anaphase
Apart
The centromere breaks ‐ this separates the sister chromatids into chromosomes.
Each chromatid is identical to the original chromosome in the parent cell that it was copied from.
The spindle fibres shorten and pull the chromosomes apart to the poles of the cell.
Motor proteins, walking along the tubulin threads, pull each sister chromatids of a pair in opposite directions, towards opposite poles.
Because the centromere goes first, the now chromosomes assume a V shape.
(cytokinesisusuallystartsnowbutweconsideritseparatefrommitosis)
Explain what happens in telophase
2 (nuclei)
The separated chromosomes reach the poles.
New nuclear envelopes form around the 2 sets of chromosomes to form 2 new nuclei.
The super coiled chromosomes uncoil into chromatin.
Spindle fibres break down.
Explain what happens in cytokinesis in animal cells
The cytoplasm cleaves to finally produce the 2 new genetically identical daughter cells (both also identical to the parent cell).
This means the daughter cells can do all of the things the parent cell could do.
Explain what happens in cytokinesis in plant cells
An end plate forms where the equator of the spindle was, and new plasma membrane and cellulose cell-wall material are laid down on either side along this end plate.
This means the daughter cells can do all of the things the parent cell could do.
What are the differences between plant and animal cell cycles?
Animal cells:
Most cells will undergo mitosis and cytokinesis
Cytokinesis starts from the outside and goes in
Plant cells:
Only special cells called meristem cells can divide
Plant cells do not have centrioles
Cytokinesis starts with the formation of a cell plate where the equator was ‐ the new plasma membrane and new cell wall material is then laid down long the cell plate
Define differentiation
When stem cells become specialised to carry out a particular job/function
Before cell’s are differentiated they are stem cells (undifferentiated)
What are epithelial cells?
Cells that constitute lining tissue
What are erythrocytes?
Red blood cells
What are neutrophils?
A type of white blood cell that is phagocytic (can ingest microbes and small particles)
What are stem cells?
Unspecialised cells that are able to express all of its genes and divide by mitosis
Explain the steps in differentiation
Young cell Cell division Cell growth Cell specialisation Mature cell - unlikely or unable to divide again