THE

CELLULAR BASIS OF REPRODUCTION - Each Eukaryotic chromosomes contains

Passing on the genes from cell to cell a single long DNA molecule, typically
When a Cell divides, the two “daughter bearing thousands of genes.
cells” that result are ORDINARILY - The number of chromosomes in a
GENETICALLY IDENTICAL to each other and eukaryotic cell, like the number of
to the original parent Cell. genes, depends on the species.

Before the Parent cell splits into two, it - Example, HUMAN BODY CELLS
duplicates its chromosomes. Then, during generally have 46 chromosomes, while
the Division process, the two sets of those of a DOG have 78, and those of a
chromosomes are distributed to the MOUSE have 40.
daughter cells. As a rule, the daughter cells
receive identical sets of chromosomes, with § Chromosomes are made up of a
identical genes. material called CHROMATIN.

2 TYPES OF REPRODUCTION Chromatin
1. Asexual Reproduction - A combination of DNA and protein
- does not involve fertilization of an egg molecules.
by a sperm
- Offspring produced by asexual Histones
reproduction inherit all their - DNA with small proteins.
chromosomes from a single parent.
Nucleosome
2. Sexual Reproduction - consists of DNA wound around a
- requires fertilization of an egg by a protein core of eight histone
sperm molecules.
- The production of egg and sperm cells
involve a special type of cell division, Centromere
called MEIOSIS. - Region where two chromatids are
joined together.
Genome
- complete set of an organism’s genes. CELL CYCLE
- In a human, that’s around 35,000
genes.
- In Eukaryotic cells, the vast majority of
the genome is located on
chromosomes in the cell nucleus.






Eukaryotic Chromosomes
An orderly sequence of events that extends MITOSIS AND CYTOKINESIS
from the time a cell first arises until it INTERPHASE
divides. - The cell is engaged in metabolic activity
and performing its prepare for mitosis
INTERPHASE (the next four phases that lead up to
- Most of the cell cycle is spent in and include nuclear division).

- This is a time when a cell performs its - Chromosomes are NOT CLEARLY
normal fxns w/in the organism. DISCERNED in the nucleus, although a
dark spot called the NUCLEOLUS may
- During this phase, a cell roughly be visible.
doubles everything in its cytoplasm.
- The cell may contain a pair of
- It increases its supply of proteins, CENTRIOLES (or microtubule organizing
increases the number of many of its centers in plants) both of which are
organelles, and grown in size. organizational sites for microtubules.

- lasts for at least 90% of the cell cycle. PROPHASE
- Chromatin in the nucleus begins to
- A KEY EVENT OF INTERPHASE is the condense&becomes visible in the light
duplication of the chromosomes; microscope as chromosomes.

- the period during which this occurs is - The Nucleolus disappears.
called S phase. Before the S phase, the
cell is said to be in the G1 phase; after - Centrioles begin moving to opposite
the S phase, the cell is in G2. ends of the cell and fibers extend from
- the centromeres.

MITOTIC PHASE(M-PHASE) - Some fibers cross the cell to form the
- The part of the cell cycle when the cell mitotic spindle.
is actually dividing.
PROMETAPHASE
- In mitosis, the nucleus and its contents, - The Nuclear membrane dissolves,
notably the duplicated chromosomes, marking the beginning of
divide and are evenly distributed, prometaphase.
forming 2 daughter nuclei.
- Proteins attach to the centromeres
CYTOKINESIS creating the KINETOCHORES.
- the Cytoplasm is divided in two.
- Microtubules attach at the
kinetochores and the chromosomes
begin moving.


 METAPHASE CYTOKINESIS
- Spindle fibers align the chromosomes In animal cells, cytokinesis results when a
along the middle of the cell nucleus. fiber ring composed of a protein called
ACTIN around the center of the cell
- This line is referred to as the contracts pinching the cell into two
METAPHASE PLATE. daughter cells, each with one nucleus.

- This organization helps to ensure that In plant cells, the rigid wall requires that a
in the next phase, when the cell plate be synthesized between the two
chromosomes are separated, each new daughter cells.
nucleus will receive one copy of each
chromosome.

ANAPHASE
- The paired chromosomes separate at
the kinetochores and move to opposite
sides of the cell.

- Motion results from a combination of
kinetochore movement along the
spindle microtubules and through the
physical interaction of polar
microtubules.

TELOPHASE
- Chromatids arrive at opposite poles of
cell

- New membranes form around the
daughter nuclei.

- The chromosomes disperse and are NO
LONGER VISIBLE under the light
microscope.

- The spindle fibers disperse, and
cytokinesis or the partitioning of the
cell may also begin during this stage.