Cell Cycle + Cell Division

Question 1

What is interphase

Answer 1

Cell is doing it’s day to day function
The phase in which cells grow, function, and when DNA replication occurs
Cell spends about 90% of its time in interphase

Question 2

What are the different stages of interphase

Answer 2

First part of interphase - G1
- Cell is growing in size to prepare for division

Second part of interphase - S (synthesis)
- DNA is replicated
- Chromatin ->chromatids -> chromosomes

Third part of interphase - G2
- Organelles and proteins required for division are produced
- Growth and preparation

Question 3

What is prophase (mitosis)

Answer 3

Chromatids condense and thicken
Sister chromatids (DNA which was replicated) connect together to make a X shaped chromosome
Connected by a centromere
Nuclear envelope (membrane) disintegrates to access DNA
Spindle fibres are formed from centrosomes (centriole)

Question 4

What is metaphase (mitosis)

Answer 4

The paired chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell (the equator of the cell, metaphase plate)
Spindle fibres from the centrosomes attach to the centromere of the sister chromatids

Question 5

What is anaphase (mitosis)

Answer 5

Sister chromatids are separated by the spindle fibres, and are pulled away from each other
Pulled to the opposite poles of the cell
In plant cells, instead to being pulled apart, a structure called a cell plate forms along the equator of the cell to form two daughter cells

Question 6

What is telophase (mitosis)

Answer 6

The daughter chromosomes relax and uncoil
A new nuclear membrane forms around each group of daughter chromosomes

Question 7

What is cytokenisis

Answer 7

Cells are split into two halves
Organelles are split evenly into the two daughter cells
Cytoplasm divides to produce two daughter cells
In plant cells, a cell wall is formed to separate the daughter cells