6.2 - Mitosis Flashcards
What is the primary function of mitosis?
Mitosis is the process of nuclear division that ensures each daughter cell receives an identical copy of the parent cell’s DNA. It is essential for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction in multicellular organisms.
Why is mitosis important for asexual reproduction?
Mitosis allows for the production of genetically identical offspring from a single parent organism, ensuring that the offspring have the same genetic material as the parent.
What is the difference between mitosis and binary fission?
Mitosis is a process of nuclear division in eukaryotic cells that results in two genetically identical daughter cells, whereas binary fission is the asexual reproduction process in prokaryotes like bacteria.
What happens to DNA during interphase before mitosis? What happens to the chromosomes during interphase?
During interphase, DNA is replicated. Each chromosome becomes two identical DNA molecules called chromatids, which are joined together at the centromere.
Why are chromatids joined together during mitosis?
Chromatids are joined at the centromere to ensure that they are evenly distributed to each daughter cell during mitosis.
What are the four stages of mitosis?
- Prophase
- Metaphase
- Anaphase
- Telophase
What occurs during prophase of mitosis?
HINT: Cute Noses Never Paint Colorful Creations
Cute = Chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes.
Noses = Nucleolus disappears.
Never = Nuclear envelope begins to break down.
Paint = Protein microtubules form a spindle apparatus to move chromosomes.
Colorful = Centrioles migrate to opposite poles.
Creations = Centrioles form the spindle.
What happens during metaphase of mitosis?
During metaphase, chromosomes align along the metaphase plate (the center of the cell), where they are held in place by spindle fibers.
What occurs during anaphase of mitosis? What causes the V-shape of the chromatids?
During anaphase, the centromeres divide, and the chromatids are separated and pulled toward opposite poles of the cell by the shortening spindle fibers.
The V-shape of the chromatids is a result of their movement toward the poles.
What happens during telophase of mitosis?
During telophase, the chromatids reach the poles and are now called chromosomes. The nuclear envelope reforms around each set of chromosomes, and the chromosomes begin to uncoil.
What is cytokinesis?
Cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm, which occurs after mitosis, resulting in two separate daughter cells.
How does cytokinesis differ between animal and plant cells?
In animal cells, cytokinesis involves the formation of a cleavage furrow, where the membrane pinches in to divide the cell. In plant cells, cytokinesis involves the formation of a cell plate that eventually develops into a new cell wall.
Why can’t plant cells undergo cleavage furrow cytokinesis like animal cells?
Plant cells have rigid cell walls, which prevent the formation of a cleavage furrow. Instead, vesicles from the Golgi apparatus fuse to form a cell plate, which becomes the new cell wall between the daughter cells.
Why do we normally see chromosomes as a double structure containing two chromatids?
Chromosomes are seen as double structures because during DNA replication in interphase, each chromosome is duplicated into two identical chromatids that are joined at the centromere.
Why is it essential that DNA replication results in two exact copies of genetic material?
It ensures that both daughter cells receive an identical set of genetic material, which is crucial for maintaining cellular functions and organismal development.
