Biology GIZMOS

1. Go to the Explorelearning website: https://www.explorelearning.com/ 

a. Put in your user/password
2. If you have not yet created an account, create one now:
a. 1st block code
b. 2nd block code
c. 3rd block code
3. Find the “Cell Division” Gizmo & click on it

Vocabulary: cell division, centriole, centromere, chromatid, chromatin, chromosome,

cytokinesis, DNA, interphase, mitosis

Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)

1. Cells reproduce by splitting in half, a process called cell division. What do cells need to do
between divisions to make sure that they don’t just get smaller and smaller?

They need to grow

2. The genetic information of a cell is carried in its DNA (short for deoxyribonucleic acid). What
do cells need to do between divisions to make sure that a full set of DNA gets passed on to
each daughter cell?

The DNA must be copied so there is a full set of DNA to pass on to each daughter
cell.

Gizmo Warm-up
On the SIMULATION pane of the Cell Division Gizmo, check that
the Cycle Length is set to 12 hours. Click Play ( ), observe until
the maximum number of cells is shown, and then click Pause ( ).

1. Look at the cells. Do they all look the same? Yes

2. Cells that are in the process of dividing are said to be in mitosis

or cytokinesis. Cells that are not dividing are in interphase.

Check the Magnify box and move the cursor over the cells.

A. Of the 100 cells shown, how many are in the process of dividing? 20

B. Select the BAR CHART tab, and turn on Show numerical values. How many cells

are in the interphase stage of their life cycle? 80

C. Based on these two observations, would you say that a cell spends most of its life

cycle in interphase or in mitosis/cytokinesis? Interphase

 Get the Gizmo ready:
Activity A:
● Click Reset ( ).
Phases of the cell ● Select the DESCRIPTION tab.
cycle ● Click on the right arrow once so that Interphase is
shown.

Question: What are the stages of the cell cycle?

1. Observe: Click Play and hold the cursor over the cell. Observe the cell as it divides several
times. (This happens quickly!) What do you notice happening during this process?

You can see the chromosomes line up then separate and then you see two nucleuses
then the cell splits.

2. Summarize: On the DESCRIPTION pane, read about each phase in the cell cycle. In the
spaces below, sketch the cell in each phase and summarize what occurs in your own words.

Phase Sketch Summary

The cell grows and develops, developing organelles

Interphase and copying its DNA

The nuclear membrane dissolves away, the chromatin

condenses into chromosomes. Spindle fibers form
Prophase between the centrioles, which move to opposite ends
of the cell.

The spindle fibers pull the chromosomes to line them

Metaphase up on the equator.

The chromosomes are split apart by the fibers, and

Anaphase the chromatids move to opposite sides of the cell.
 A nucleus forms around each of the chromosomes
Telophase and they unwind into chromatin.

The cell membrane pinches and divides the cell into

Cytokinesis two daughter cells.

(Activity A continued on next page)

Activity A (continued from previous page)

3. Analyze: Use your summaries and the Gizmo to answer the following questions:

A. What are the four phases of mitosis? Metaphase, anaphase, telophase, and
interphase

B. During which phase is the DNA duplicated? Interpahse

C. What is the relationship between chromatin and chromosomes? Chromatin is a

substance within a chromosome consisting of DNA and protein.

D. In which phase are chromatids pulled apart? Anaphase

E. What is the role of the centrioles? They have spindle fibers around them and
they help determine the location of the nucleus.

F. In which phase does a new nuclear membrane develop? Telophase

G. A cell has a single line of chromosomes. What is the phase? Metaphase

H. During which three phases are individual chromosomes no longer visible?

Interphase, telophase, and cytokinesis

4. RESEARCH:

A. List 3 some cells that go through the cell cycle quickly and therefore can make
new cells quickly when cells get damaged or die.
From fakered: Q1, From AS: Q1 and From CT: Q1

B. List 3 some cells that go through the cell cycle slowly and therefore can’t make
new cells quickly when cells get damaged or die.
Each step of the cell cycle is monitored by internal controls called checkpoints.
There are three major checkpoints in the cell cycle: one near the end of G1, a
second at the G2/M transition, and the third during metaphase. Positive
regulator molecules allow the cell cycle to advance to the next stage.

C. List some cells that exit the cell cycle and cannot regenerate anymore cells.
The three types of cells that cannot regenerate are hepatocytes in the live,
neurons in the brain and cardiac muscles because these cells will not under
mitosis.