2.6 - Cell Division Flashcards
What is the cell cycle?
Sequence of events between one cell division and the next
Outline the stages of the cell cycle
- Interphase is the longest phase
- Interphase includes G1, S and G2
- In G1 and G2 cell performs normal functions, organelles are replicated and checks are
made to ensure replication has occurred correctly - DNA replicates in S phase
- Mitosis is when nucleus divides
- Stages of mitosis - prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase
- Cytokinesis occurs - division of cytoplasm
Which phase usually takes the most time in the cell cycle?
Interphase
During which stage does the cell surface area to volume ratio decrease?
Interphase
Describe what happens in G1
G1 phase
- Cell synthesises mRNA and proteins required for DNA replication
- Some organelles copied
- Cell increases in size
Describes what happens in S phase
S phase
- Genetic material replicated (DNA replication)
Describes what happens in G2
G2 phase
- Additional growth and organelle replication
- Cytoskeleton dismantled
- DNA replication checked for errors
Describe what happens during G0
Cell leaves cell cycle due to:
- Differentiation - cell becomes specialised
- DNA damage - cell ‘dies’ (apoptosis)
How is the cell cycle controlled?
Checkpoints at end of each stage of interphase
Describe the checkpoints that occur during the cell cycle
G1 checkpoint
- End of G1 phase
- Check for cell size, nutrients, growth factors, DNA damage
- If anything wrong, cell enters G0
G2 checkpoint
- End of G2 phase
- Check for cell size, correct DNA replication, cell damage
Spindle assembly checkpoint
- During metaphase of mitosis
- Check for chromosome attachment to spindle
Describe the structure of a chromosome
- Made up of two sister chromatids
- Joined at the middle by a centromere
Summarise the stages involved in mitosis
- Step 1: Prophase
- Step 2: Metaphase
- Step 3: Anaphase
- Step 4: Telophase
Describe the stages in prophase
- Chromosomes condense (become visible under light microscope)
- Nuclear envelope breaks down
- Spindle microtubules extend from centrioles at two ends of the cell to its equator
Describe the stages in metaphase
- Sister chromatids of each chromosome attach to the spindle microtubules
- Via the centromere
- Line up at equator of cell
Describe the stages in anaphase
- Centromeres divide
- Chromosomes start to migrate to opposite poles of cell
Describe the stages in telophase
- Chromosomes reach opposite poles of the cell
- Spindle microtubules break down
- Nuclear envelope reforms
Define cytokinesis
Division of cytoplasm to form two daughter cells
Explain how cytokinesis occurs in animal cells
- Microtubules form ring around centre of cell
- Microtubules constrict, forming a cleavage furrow
- Cell eventually pinched in two, forming two genetically identical daughter cells
Explain how cytokinesis occurs in plant cells
- New cell wall produced across the equator of cell from vesicles containing carbohydrates
- Vesicles fuse together to form cell plate, which fuses with existing cell wall
- There is plasma membrane either side
- Cell divides into two to form two genetically identical daughter cells
What is the product of one round of mitosis?
Two genetically identical daughter cells
Why is mitosis necessary in living organisms?
- Growth, replacement and repair of tissues
- Asexual reproduction
Why do prokaryotes not divide by mitosis?
- No nucleus
- Reproduce by binary fission
Define fertilisation
Fusion of a male (sperm) and female (egg) gamete
Define homologous chromosomes
- Pair of chromosomes
- Position of the genes on each chromosome is the same
- The alleles may be different
What is the same in all parts of homologous chromosomes?
Sequence of genes
What is the difference between sister chromatids and chromosomes?
- The DNA molecules formed by replication prior to cell division are called sister chromatids
- After the centromere splits at the start of anaphase, they are individual chromosomes
Describe the function of meiosis
- Type of reductive cell division
- Produces genetically varied gametes with a haploid number of chromosomes (n)
- Maintains chromosome number after sexual reproduction
Summarise the stages involved in meiosis
- Prophase I & II
- Metaphase I & II
- Anaphase I & II
- Telophase I & II
Describe the stages in prophase I
- Chromosomes condense and pair up - the chromosomes in each pair are homologous
- Crossing over between homologous chromosomes occurs before condensation
- Spindle microtubules extend from the two ends of the cell to its equator
- Nuclear envelope breaks down
Describe the stages in metaphase I
- Sister chromatids of each chromosome attach to spindle microtubules via the centromere
- Homologous chromosomes randomly assemble at equator of cell (independent assortment)
Describe the stages in anaphase I
- Homologous chromosomes pulled to opposite poles (this halves the chromosome number)
- Each chromosome still consists of two chromatids
Describe the stages in telophase I
- Sister chromatids arrive at the poles of the cell and decondense
- Nuclear envelope reforms
- After telophase, the cell divides by cytokinesis