Cell Cycle Flashcards
cell division is used for (3)
growth, repair, and reproduction
2 types of cell division
mitosis and meiosis
mitosis
- produces 2 genetically identical daughter cells (clones)
- preserves the diploid (2n) chromosome number
meiosis
- occurs in sexually reproducing organisms, results in cells that are haploid
- half the chromosome number of the parent cell
structure of a chromosome
highly coiled/condensed strand of DNA
replicated chromosome
consists of 2 sister chromatids (exact copies of each other)
centromere
specialized region that holds 2 chromatids together
kinetochore
disc-shaped protein on centromere that attaches chromatid to mitotic spindle during division
cell cycle
complex sequence of growth and division of cells
What is the frequency of cell division?
varies with cell type, but tightly regulated by complex mechanism involving kinases and allosteric interaction
- bone marrow cells always dividing in order to produce constant supply of blood cells
- liver cells arrested in G0 (stopped dividing) but can be induced to divide/regenerate when liver tissue is damaged
- human intestine cells normally divide 2 times a day to renew damaged tissue during digestion
- nerve cells do not divide at all
Frequency of cell division?
varies with cell type
2 factors that limits cell size and promote cell division
ratio of volume of cell to surface area + capacity of nucleus to control entire cell
How does ratio of cell volume to surface area affect cell division?
when cell grows: surface area of cell membrane increases as the square of the radius and volume increases as the cube of the radius
= volume increases at faster rate than cell membrane
ratio is major factor of cell division
How does the capacity of the nucleus affect cell division?
nucleus must be able to provide enough info and substances to meet cell’s needs
- metabolically active cells generally small
- larger cells have evolved to exist with multiple nuclei
5 major phases of the cell cycle
interphase (G1, S, G2), mitosis, cytokinesis
interphase
more than 90% of cell’s life, chromatin is threadlike and not condensed
1 nucleus, 1 centrosome or MTOC
G1 (Gap 1) phase
during interphase
period of intense growth and biochemical activity
S (synthesis) phase
during interphase
synthesis or replication of DNA
centrosome is duplicated
G2 (Gap 2) phase
cell continues to grow and complete preparation for cell division
centrosomes will seperate and move to opposite poles