Leona Tittle CAPE BIOLOGY UNIT 1

Cell Division

Cell division is the process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells. It is
important in the processes of reproduction, growth, and repair in living organisms. Cell
division is one part of the cell cycle.
The way in which cell division occurs is dependent on whether the organism is prokaryotic or
eukaryotic. Cell division is simpler in prokaryotes since they are simpler than eukaryotes.
Eukaryotes, being more complex in structure, have more complex cell division cycles.
There are three (3) main processes by which cell division occurs:

1. Mitosis-occurring in normal body cells

2. Meiosis- occurring in reproductive cells (gametes)
3. Binary Fission-occurring in single-celled organisms like bacteria

The Cell Cycle

This is defined as a repeating series of events which occur in cells as they grow and divide.

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There are two primary phases in the cell cycle:

1. Interphase: Active phase that exists between one cell division and another.

2. M Phase (Mitosis phase): This is where the actual cell division occurs.
Interphase
Interphase is the longest stage in the eukaryote cell cycle. During interphase, the cell
acquires nutrients, creates and uses proteins and other molecules, and starts the process of
cell division by replicating the DNA.
There are three (3) main stages of interphase:

1. G1 phase (First Gap)- The cell grows and accumulates the building blocks of
chromosomal DNA and the associated proteins as well as sufficient energy reserves
to complete the task of replicating each chromosome in the nucleus.
2. S phase (Synthesis phase)- DNA replication occurs forming identical pairs of DNA
(sister chromatids) that are firmly attached at the centromeric region.
3. G2 phase (Second Gap)- the cell replenishes its energy stores and synthesizes
proteins in preparation for the mitotic phase.

Mitosis
Watch the following video and answer the questions that follow:

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1. What are the four main stages of mitosis?

2. Which stage: (1) precedes mitosis and (2) proceeds mitosis in the cell cycle? Describe
what occurs during each stage.
3. Complete the following table to outline the four (4) stages of mitosis and what occurs
during each stage.
Stage of Mitosis Description
1

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4. Name the stage of mitosis at which each cell below is.

(a)
- _______________________________

(b) -_______________________________

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(c) - ____________________________________

(d) - _______________________________ Watch the following video

and answer the questions that follow:

Matching: Match the term to the description

I= Interphase P=Prophase M=metaphase A= Anaphase T=Telophase
_____ 1. The sister chromatids are moving apart.

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_____ 2. The nuclear membrane fades from view.

_____ 3. The spindle is formed.
_____ 4. A new nuclear membrane is forms.
_____5. Chromatids line up along the equator.
_____ 6. The cytoplasm of the cell is being divided.
_____ 7. Chromosomes are not visible.
_____ 8. The chromatin is found in the nucleus.
_____ 9. Cytokinesis begins.
_____ 10. The chromosomes are located at.
_____ 11. The cell plate in plants begins to form.
_____ 12. The spindles disappear.
The image below shows cells at different stages of mitosis in an onion root. Carefully observe
the image.

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View the following video for further guidance on the identification of mitotic stages in Onion
root cells.

Meiosis
Meiosis is the process in which a single cell divides twice to form four haploid (half
complement of chromosomes) daughter cells. The process of meiosis is divided into 2 stages:
meiosis I and meiosis II. Each stage is subdivided into several phases.
Meiosis I: Meiosis II:
• Prophase I • Prophase II
• Metaphase I • Metaphase II
• Anaphase I • Anaphase II
• Telophase I • Telophase II
• Cytokinesis I • Cytokinesis II

Watch the following video for an explanation of meiosis.

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Meiosis ensures genetic variation in organisms. Two events ensure of this. They are:
1.) Crossing over between homologous
chromosomes: During prophase of the
first meiotic division, homologous
chromosomes (chromosomes with the
same gene loci, with one coming from the
mother and the other from the father) form
pairs. There is exchange of genetic
material between homologous
chromosomes by crossing over, and the
point of crossing over of two chromatids is
called a chiasma. This crossing over event
produces new combinations of maternal and
paternal alleles, therefore generating
genetic variation.
2.) Independent segregation of
homologous chromosomes (independent
assortment) : During metaphase of the
first meiotic division, homologous pairs of
chromosomes line up at the cell equator.
One chromosome from each homologous
pair will go into each of the two new cells.
The order in which the homologous pairs
of chromosomes line up is random,
generating 2^n possible combinations of
chromosomes in daughter cells, where n is
the number of pairs of homologous
chromosomes.

Answer the following questions.

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1. A cell with two pairs of each set of chromosomes is called a [ diploid / haploid ] cell.
These cells are typically found throughout the body tissues and are called [ germ /
somatic ] cells.

2. A cell with only one set of chromosomes is called [ diploid / haploid ] cell.
These types of cells are found in the reproductive organs and are called [ germ / somatic
] cells.

3. Sperm and egg cells are called [ gametes / zygotes ]. A fertilized egg is a [ gamete /
zygote ].
4. A type of cell division that results in diploid cells: [ meiosis / mitosis ] 5. A type of cell
division that results in haploid cells. [ meiosis / mitosis ]

6. When a sperm and egg combine, it is called _______________________________

7. What is the diploid number for humans? _______ What is the haploid number?
_______

8. Matching chromosomes are called _____________________________________ pairs.

9. During prophase I of meiosis, these pairs form a tetrad in a process called
______________________.
10. When homologous chromosomes exchange genes, it is called:
______________________________.
11. How many daughter cells are created at the end of meiosis I? _______ meiosis II?
______
12. During meiosis, chromosomes will split into daughter cells randomly, making each
gamete unique. This is called
_____________________________________________________.
13. The process by which sperm are made is called
____________________________________________.
14. The process by which eggs are made is called
______________________________________________.
15. During the creation of an oocyte, 3 additional haploid cells are created that will not be
fertilized, these cells
are called ________________________________________________
16. A fertilized egg is called a ________________________________.

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17. Label the Phases

18. Indicate whether the characteristic applies to mitosis, meiosis, or both, by checking the
box.

Mitosis Meiosis

Pairing of homologous chromosomes occur

Two divisions

Two daughter cells produced

Chromosome number is halved

Involves duplication of chromosomes

Crossing over occurs

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Associated with growth and asexual

reproduction

Associated with sexual reproduction

Produces gametes

Associated with cancer

Produces identical daughter cells

Recombination occurs

Occurs in plants and animals

Four daughter cells are produced

19. What are the key events in Meiosis I?

20. In what two ways does meiosis produce genetic variation?

View the following video for a microscopic view of meiosis.

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