CELL DIVISION

The cell cycle includes mitosis (the process of dividing the cell nucleus) and cell division.
The result of each round of the cell cycle is a simple cell division that creates two identical
new cells from one original cell. During the cell cycle, all DNA present in the cell is copied ,
and when the original cell divides, a complete collection of all the chromosomes (in
humans, 23 pairs) goes to each of the two resulting cells. Prokaryotes and some simple
eukaryotic organisms use this process to reproduce themselves. (More complex
eukaryotic organisms use meiosis for sexual reproduction, in which each of the two sex
cells sends only one copy of each chromosome into the eggs or sperm.
» Mitosis produces two identical cells. The new daughter cells are identical to each
other and to the cell that divided to create them (the mother cell).
» Cells created by mitosis have exactly the same number of chromosomes as the Mitosis: The process cells use to make exact
original cell did. If the original cell had 46 chromosomes, the new cells each have 46 replicas of themselves. Mitosis is observed
chromosomes. in almost all the body’s cells, including eyes,
skin, hair, and muscle cells.
Meiosis is a cell division that includes reducing the chromosome number as preparation
for sexual reproduction. Meiosis reduces the amount of DNA by half so that when Meiosis: In this type of cell division, sperm or
fertilization occurs, each offspring gets a full set of chromosomes. As a result of meiosis, egg cells are produced instead of identical
the cell goes from being diploid to being haploid. Or, to put it another way, the cell goes daughter cells as in mitosis.
from being 2n to being n. In humans, this means that the cells produced by meiosis Binary Fission: Single-celled organisms like
(either eggs or sperm) have 23 chromosomes each one copy of each of the homologous bacteria replicate themselves for
chromosomes. reproduction.
Phases of the Cell Cycle
There are two primary phases in the cell cycle:

1. Interphase: This phase was thought to represent the resting stage between subsequent cell divisions, but new research has shown that
it is a very active phase.
2. M Phase (Mitosis phase): This is where the actual cell division occurs. There are two key steps in this phase, namely cytokinesis and
karyokinesis.

The interphase further comprises three phases:

1. G0 Phase (Resting Phase): The cell neither divides nor prepares itself for the division.
2. G1 Phase (Gap 1): The cell is metabolically active and grows continuously during this phase.
3. S phase (Synthesis): The DNA replication or synthesis occurs during this stage.
4. G2 phase (Gap 2): Protein synthesis happens in this phase.
5. Quiescent Stage (G0): The cells that do not undergo further division exits the G1 phase and enters an inactive stage. This stage is
known as the quiescent stage (G0) of the cell cycle.

There are four stages in the M Phase, namely:

• Prophase: Stage of cell division when chromosomes contract and become visible and nuclear membrane begins to break
down. In meiosis, crossing-over takes place during prophase.
• Metaphase: Stage of cell division when chromosomes align along the equator of the dividing cell.
• Anaphase: Stage of cell division in mitosis when replicated chromosomes (as chromatids) separate. In meiosis, homologous
chromosomes separate during anaphase I, and replicated chromosomes (as chromatids) separate during anaphase II.
• Telophase: Stage of cell division when chromosomes relax and the nuclear membrane re-forms.