B6 - Cell Division Flashcards
What is the cell cycle
The cell cycle is the process that all body cells use to grow and divide
It starts with a cell that has already been produced by cell division and ends with this cell dividing to produce 2 genetically identical daughter cells.
Two ways eukaryotic cells divide
Mitosis
Meiosis
Mitosis
Division into two daughter cells that are genetically identical to each other and to the parent cell
Meiosis
Division into four unique daughter cells with half the chromosomes of the parent cell.
Haploid cell
One copy of each chromosome
Diploid cell
Two copies of each chromosome
Importance of the cell cycle
- produces genetically identical daughter cells
- growth of tissue
- replacement of work out / damaged cells
- repair of body tissues
- asexual reproduction
Stages of the cell cycle
Interphase (preparation phase)
- G1 (growth phase 1)
- S (DNA synthesis)
- G2 phases (growth phase 2)
M phase (dividing phase)
- mitosis
- cytokinesis
G1 stage
First growth phase of cell, synthesis of proteins, organelles replicate e.g mitochondria, ribosomes etc. cell increases in size.
End of G1 checkpoint.
S stage
Synthesis phase. Replication of each chromosome in the nucleus. They are now called sister chromatids (joined at the centromere)
G2 stage
Second growth phase, cell continues to grow in size. Duplicated DNA is checked for errors. Energy stores (i.e ATP molecules) are increased
End of G2 checkpoint
Cell cycle checkpoints
G1 checkpoint
G2 checkpoint
Spindle assembly / metaphase checkpoint
G1 checkpoint
Checks
- cell is the correct size
- nutrients / chemicals are present
- growth factors present
- any damage to DNA
G2 checkpoint
Checks for:
- cell is the correct size
- DNA has been replicated without damage
G0 phase (resting state)
Phase where the cell leaves the cell cycle either temporarily or permanently. Because DNA may be damaged.
Spindle assembly checkpoint / metaphase checkpoint
Checks for chromosomes attachment to the spindle
What happens if DNA is not checked
- mutations in the DNA sequence
- faulty DNA produced
- error in copying daughter cells
- daughter cells will not receive identical genetic information
- proteins not made or do not function properly
Stages of the Mitotic phase
Mitosis
Cytokinesis
Homologous chromosomes
- a pair of chromosomes - one maternal and one paternal
- the chromosomes carry the same gene but may carry different forms of the genes. An alternate form of the same gene is called an allele
- e.g gene is eye colour, alleles could be brown, green, blue etc
Sister chromatids
A sister chromatid refers to the identical copies formed by the DNA replication of a chromosome, with both copies joined together by a common centromere.
Difference between sister chromatids and homologous chromosomes
A homologous pair of chromosomes contain one maternal and one paternal chromatid. They carry the same genes although may have different alleles of these genes, position (loci) and size are the same. Members of a homologous pair pair up during meiosis.
Chromosome structure
- only visible during cell division
- each chromosome consists of two chromatids joined somewhere along its length at the centromere
- genetic information (genes / alleles) Carried on each chromatid is identical.
Mitosis is made up of 4 steps
PMAT
- prophase
- metaphase
- anaphase
- telophase
Prophase
- Chromosomes condense and thicken (becoming visible)
- consists of sister chromatids joined at the centromere
- two centrioles migrate to opposite poles of the cell (in animal and some plant cells)
- spindle fibres attach to specific areas on the centromeres and start to move the chromosomes to the centre of the cell.
- nuclear envelope disappears
Metaphase
- brief phase
- individual sister chromatids (chromosomes) are moved by the spindle fibres to align at the metaphase plate / equator at the centre of the cell
- sister chromatids are attached to the spindle fibres by the centromere
Anaphase
- centromeres holding the pairs of chromatids in each chromosome divide.
- sister chromatids separate
- spindle contracts (fibres shorten)
- each chromatid is pulled by their centromere to opposite poles of the cell.
Telophase
- chromatids have reached opposite poles of the cell. They uncoil and become long and thin again.
- they are now called chromosomes
- spindle fibres disappear
- nuclear envelope reforms and enclose around the chromosomes at each pole