Core Ch 11 Cell cycle and division

Interphase
-genetic materials (DNA) are dispersed/loosely packed
-DNA is in the format of chromatin, chromosomes are invisible

*Activities*:
1. Synthesis of new organelles (e.g. mitochondria, ER and chloroplast)
2. Synthesis of proteins necessary for new chromosomes and mitosis
3. DNA replication (each chromosome consists of 2 DNA molecules)
4. the cells increase in size

Mitotic cell division

(i) Nuclear division (PMAT)
1. Interphase—DNA replicates, chromosomes are not visible

2. Prophase—chromosomes shorten & thicken and become visible,

nuclear membrane breaks down

3. Metaphase—chromosomes line up along the equator

spindle fibres attach to the chromosomes

4. Anaphase—spindle fibres contract, sister chromatids separate and

move to opposite poles of the cell
cytoplasm starts to divide

5. Telophase—new nuclear membranes form around each group of

chromosomes
chromosomes uncoil to become chromatin again

(ii) Cytoplasmic division—cytoplasm of the parent cell divides into two

equal halvestwo daughter cells
Animal cell: cell membrane around the centre of the cell constricts
inwards until the cell separates into two

Plant cell: a cell plate between the two daughter nuclei grows outwards
from the centre of the cell, dividing the cytoplasm into 2 halves
*Importance of mitotic cell division*:
-forms genetically identical cells for growth (increase in cell number), repair
(increase in cell number) and asexual reproduction

Meiotic cell division

Interphase1st nuclear divisioncytoplasmic division2nd nuclear
divisioncytoplasmic division

1st nuclear division (PMAT):

1. Prophase I—chromosomes shorten & thicken and become visible
members of each pair of homologous chromosomes pair up
nuclear membranes break down

2. Metaphase I—homologous pairs line up along the equator

spindle fibres attach to the chromosomes

3. Anaphase I—spindle fibres contract, two members of each homologous pair

separate and move to opposite poles of the cell
cytoplasm starts to divide

4. Telophase I—new nuclear membranes form around each group of

chromosomes

2nd nuclear division (PMAT):

1. Prophase II—nuclear membranes break down again

2. Metaphase II—chromosomes line up along the equator

new spindle fibres attach to the chromosomes

3. Anaphase II—spindle fibres contract, sister chromatids separate and move to

opposite poles of the cells
cytoplasm starts to divide

4. Telophase II—new nuclear membranes form around each group of

chromosomes
chromosomes uncoil to become chromatin again
*Importance of meiotic cell division*:
-form haploid gametes so that the chromosome number of offspring can be
restored to diploid at fertilization
-produces genetic variations that enhance the survival of the species
(independent assortment of chromosomes—pairs of homologous chromosomes
line up randomly along the equator, crossing over)

Cell Cycle and Division (★★★)

1. Meiosis
-Significance: to form haploid gametes so that the chromosome number of
offspring can be restored to diploid, offspring are genetically different from
parents, contributed to variation

2. Mitosis
-Significance: keeping constant number of chromosomes in the daughter cells,
offspring are genetically identical to parents, keeping desirable trait
-Natural occurrence: growth& repair of tissues, asexual reproduction in
flowering plants (i.e. vegetative propagation) & bacteria
-Application: cloning in plants and animals

{ DSE 17 P1-4(b), DSE 15 P1-2, DSE 14 P1-3(c), DSE 12 P1-11, AL 09 PIIA-1(b),

CE 99-1(a), CE 06-4(a), 8(b)}