Student-Inquiry: Cell Division

Instructions:
 Read the Purpose below - so you have an idea what the kind of concepts we are looking at.
 Read the questions that you must answer - so you have an idea what information to focus on.
 Using the reading and the additional video links provided, create your own notes on the
template. Make sure to have a good understanding of the key words: Cell Cycle, Mitosis and
Cytoplasmic division.
 Once you have completed your summary notes, go back and answer questions 1-4 listed for the
assignment

Purpose:
Explain why reproduction of cells is essential to life?
Describe the basic process of the cell cycle.

Questions:
1. What are the two broad phases of the cell cycle?

2. What happens during interphase that makes this the most important step?

3. Mitosis is one small part of the cell cycle. What would happen if cells were in the mitosis
phase more than they were in interphase?

4. When cells are dividing they have to move an equal number of chromosomes to both
cells. Why is it important that they be divided equally to both cells?
 Reading:
Reproduction is an important function for all living organisms for several reasons:
 Healing and Tissue Repair
We would live in constant fear if we cut ourselves and there was no healing process.
Instead, a cut quickly disappears as the cells in our body reproduce and replace the
part that has been damaged. Some animals will even replace a lost limb. Our bodies
are constantly replacing cells that have completed their life cycle. Skin cells are
rubbed off and replaced; cells inside our body are similarly replaced as they wear
out or are damaged.
 Growth
In order for growth to take place cell division must occur.
It might seem more efficient for growth to take place by keeping the same number
of cells and having the cells increase in size. Why does your body increase in size by
increasing the number of cells rather than the size of cells?
First, if cells were to increase in size, the volume of cytoplasm increases much faster
than the surface area of the cell membrane. The entry and exit of all materials
essential to the wellbeing of the cell takes place through the cell membrane. The
reduced surface area of the cell membrane in relation to the volume of the
cytoplasm would mean the cell would not receive the proper exchange of nutrients
and remove enough waste to maintain life.
Secondly, the distance from the nucleus to all parts of the cytoplasm becomes
larger, making it more difficult for the nucleus to monitor and control the activities
of the cell.
The cell size must be kept small for its efficient operation. Cell growth can only take
place by increasing the number of cells.
 Reproduction of the Organism
In order that life continues, an organism must reproduce itself. Actually,
reproduction does not matter for the individual organism as long as there are
enough reproducing members of the species. All species reproduce. We will explore
various reproductive strategies and mechanisms in the lessons to come.
Cell Cycle
All cells come from pre-existing cells. Any new cell must come from another cell through a
process of reproduction. Cells needed for repair, growth or maintaining a species must
use cell division.
Cells live through a sequence of steps called the cell cycle. The cell cycle consists of a
sequence of events which include:
1. Interphase
a. Rapid growth. The cell takes in sugars and proteins for growth and repair.

b. Duplication of chromosomes. The cell prepares for division by duplicating chromosomes

in the nucleus. Duplication of genetic material must take place before cell division.

c. Growth and preparation for cell division.

2. Cell Division Phase

a. A small part of the cell cycle that consists of mitosis and cytokinesis.
After chromosome duplication there is another time of cell growth and preparation for
cell division.

The cell cycle is shown in visual form at left. The

circle represents the life of the cell.

There are two parts to the cell cycle:

 Interphase
 Division Phase
Cell division takes place during the division phase and
the rest of the life cycle takes place during
interphase. Interphase occupies the larger portion of
the cell cycle.

Interphase can occupy a longer or shorter part of the

cell cycle depending on the type of cell.

Cell Division
There are two parts to cell division.
 Mitosis
 The division of material inside the nucleus in such a way that both cells have a complete
set of chromosomes is called mitosis.

 Mitosis, in humans (and other organisms) is responsible for the division of non-sex cells
which we call body cells.
 Cytoplasmic Division (cytokinesis)
 Cell division is complete when the cytoplasm is shared between the two cells resulting
from the division. The process of dividing cytoplasm is called cytokinesis.
 Cytoplasmic division (cytokinesis) is different in plant and animal cells. In animal cells the
cell membrane comes together in the middle of the cell and two new cells are formed. In
plants a new cell wall grows down the middle of the cell, producing two new plant cells.
The two daughter cells will enter interphase where they grow, producing more cytoplasm,
and becoming the size of the parent cell.

The details of the Cell Cycle:

Interphase – “Inter" means between. Interphase represents that time between cell
division when the cell grows and matures. The cell is in interphase for considerably longer
than it is in cell division. The nucleus makes a copy of the cell's genetic material so there
are two complete sets of DNA. DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) is the cell's genetic material
that gives the cell whatever information it needs about its inherited characteristics. The
cell carries out the function that it was designed for.

Phases of Mitosis
 Prophase - The strands of DNA coil up to form rope-like structures called chromosomes.
During this phase the chromosomes become thick enough to be seen with a light
microscope. The nuclear membrane begins to dissolve and disappear.
 Metaphase - Spindle fibres tug the double stranded chromosomes into a line across the
middle of the cell.
 Anaphase - The spindle fibers shorten, pulling the centromere apart, causing the
chromosomes to move to opposite poles of the cell.

 Telophase - This is the final phase of mitosis. The chromosomes are located at opposite
ends of the cell. The spindle fibers begin to disappear and nuclear membrane forms
around each new set of chromosomes. Chromosomes begin to uncoil and form strands of
DNA. Cytokinesis (cytoplasmic division) begins when Telophase is complete.
 Additional Reading:
 http://www.biology4kids.com/files/cell2_mitosis.html

Video Links:
 Mitosis: The Amazing Cell Process That Uses Division to Multiply! (8:26)
 Mitosis - 3D Animation (4:33)
 Mitosis in Real Time (0:20)
 The Animal That Wouldn’t Die (4:21)

On-line Activity:
 The Cell Cycle Game
Template Sample