Topic 7 - Cell Reproduction Flashcards
What are the functions of cell division?
- Reproduction, growth, and repair
- Distributes identical sets of chromosomes to daughter cells
Prokaryotic cell division
- Binary fission
- No nucleus
- Single circular chromosome
What do eukaryotic chromosomes look like?
- Multiple, linear chromosomes contained in nuclear envelope, which makes cell division more complex
- Many organisms have pairs of chromosomes called homologous chromosomes (chromosomes of the same morphology with genes in the same location)
How are mitotic chromosomes condensed?
- Nucleosome: subunit of chromatin composed of a short length of DNA wrapped around a core of 8 histone proteins (proteins found in the chromatin of all eukaryotic cells)
- Coiling creates the solenoid (helical winding of nucleosome strands)
- Solenoid is further condensed
- Chromatin loops are held in place by scaffold proteins
Explain how chromosomes are replicated before cell division.
- Chromosomal DNA must be duplicated through DNA replication during the S phase of interphase, prior to mitosis.
- Replicated chromosomes are connected to each other at their kinetochores (protein structures associated with the centromere of each sister chromatid that attract and bind spindle microtubules during prometaphase)
- Cohesin: complex of proteins holding replicated chromosomes together
- Sister chromatids: two copies of the chromosome within the replicated chromosome
Chromatid
One half of a duplicated chromosome
- Before replication, one chromosome is composed of one DNA molecule. In replication, the DNA molecule is copied, and the two molecules are known as chromatids
What is the difference between chromatin and chromatids?
Chromatin refers to a substance found in the cell nucleus that’s composed primarily of DNA and proteins. When cells divide, chromatin condenses to form chromosomes which split into two identical strands called chromatids. Each chromatid then becomes a chromosome in each new cell that is formed.
Chromatin - uncondensed, “loose” DNA
Chromatid - condensed DNA
Centromere
Region at which sister chromatids are bound together; a constricted area in condensed chromosomes
Kinetochore
Protein structure associated with the centromere of each sister chromatid that attracts and binds spindle microtubules during prometaphase
Cohesin
Complex of proteins holding replicated chromosomes together
What is the cell cycle?
An ordered series of events involving cell growth and cell division that produces two new daughter cells
Name the five main phases of the eukaryotic cell cycle.
- G1 (gap phase 1) - cell growth, early interphase
- S (synthesis) - chromosomes are copied, mid interphase
- G2 (gap phase 2) - prepares division, late interphase
- M (mitosis) - cell duplicates to form identical daughter cells
- C (cytokinesis) - “breaking” of cytoplasm
Interphase
Period of the cell cycle leading up to mitosis; includes G1, S, and G2 phases (the interim period between two consecutive cell divisions)
G1
Cell growth
- Cell accumulates building blocks of chromosomal DNA and associated proteins; accumulates energy reserves to complete DNA replication
S
DNA synthesis
- Results in identical pairs of DNA molecules (sister chromatids) that are attached at the centromeric region
- Centrosome is duplicated
- The two centrosomes will give rise to the mitotic spindle
- Centrioles aid in cell division in animal cells