1

Inheritance of Genes During

Mitosis

Assist. Prof. Dr. Adil Seytanoglu

adil.seytanoglu@emu.edu.tr
Learning Objectives: 2

Understand the key genetic terms such as chromatid, sister

chromatids, chromosomes, chromatin, nucleosome, and 30-nm
chromatin fiber.

Special features of metaphase chromosomes

Describe the cell cycle

Describe the key stages in Mitosis

Reading Assignment

Klug, Concepts of Genetics, 2016. Chapter 2, pg;50-60.

T. Brown, 2011. Chapter 11, p. 211-221, 226, 229-231.
 Eukaryotic genomes are 3
contained in chromosomes
• Genetic material is contained in nucleus
- exception applies for mitochondria and chloroplasts, which
have their own DNA, and are in cytoplasm.
Eukaryotic genomes are 4
contained in chromosomes
• Genetic material is contained in nucleus
- exception applies for mitochondria and chloroplasts,
which have their own DNA, and are in cytoplasm

• All eukaryotic nuclear genomes are made up of

linear DNA molecules

• The number of chromosomes vary between

species and not influenced by the biological
features of the organism.
Eukaryotic genomes are 5
contained in chromosomes
►How is a complete set of genes passed onto the
daughter cells when the parent cell divides ?

https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/howgeneswork/cellsdivide
 Eukaryotic genomes are 6
contained in chromosomes

• The number of chromosomes vary between species

and not influenced by the biological features of the
organism.
7

Table 2.1
 Elements within the Nucleus
8

Nucleolus (nucleoli)

Dense nuclear region that functions in
synthesis of ribosomes
10-20 RNA %
70-80 % Protein (ribosomal, enzyme)

Chromatin

DNA and protein components of nucleus

Visible
as clumps during nondivisional
phases
 Chromatin is a loose form of
chromosome that contains protein 9
and DNA.
Chromosomes are
beginning to
o Protein: Histones, DNA and RNA condense prior to
polymerases and regulatory cell division.
proteins

o Histones (H1,H2A,H2B,H3,H4)
contain a high proportion of
basic amino acids and are highly
conserved.
See T.A Brown 2011. Figure 11.3. Page 213
 During mitosis and meiosis, 10
chromatin fibers coil and
condense into chromosomes. Chromosomes are
beginning to
condense prior to
cell division.
 Eukaryotic chromosomes are only
visible during cell division =>
metaphase chromosomes

See T.A Brown 2011. Figure 11.3. Page 213

Organization of DNA
11
Nondividing Nuclei

The light areas are

euchromatin (active
portion of the genome)

The dark areas are

heterochromatin
(genes are inactive)

See T.A Brown 2011. Figure 11.11. Page 217

The human nuclear genome 12

46 chromosome

22 autosome pairs, and

2 sex chromosomes of different

sizes and shapes
The human nuclear genome
13

46 chromosome
o 22 autosome pairs, and
o 2 sex chromosomes of different sizes and shapes

Karyotype, female 46, XX

The human nuclear genome
14

46 chromosome
o 22 autosome pairs, and
o 2 sex chromosomes of different sizes and shapes
Karyotype, male 46, XY
Chromosome numbers 15

Diploid (2n) => 46

Haploid (n) => 23

Human cells are mainly diploid.

Contains 2 copies of each autosome and
2 sex chromosomes XX or XY
Chromosome numbers 16

Somatic cells are diploid.

Sex cells (egg and sperm) are haploid
Chromosomes contain DNA and 17
proteins

Eukaryotic chromosomes
are only visible during cell
division => metaphase
chromosomes

Metaphase chromosomes
are much shorter than the
DNA that they contain.
However the packaging of
DNA in chromosomes is not
well understood.
See T.A Brown 2011. Figure 11.3. Page 213
 Chromosome Structure 18
 Chromatid
• One strand of a duplicated chromosome
• The arm of a chromosome
• Joined by a centromere to its sister
chromatid

 Sister chromatids
• Two chromatids linked together by
common centromere
• Each carries identical genetic information

 Homologous chromosomes
• a set of one maternal and one paternal
chromosome
• Shape, size, locus same but Not identical
Histones are constituents of 19
the nucleosome
• Nucleosome is the complex of histones and DNA
• Nucleosomes contain equal amounts of each
histone, except H1 (2 molecules of each histone)
• DNA is wound twice around each nucleosome
• A single linker histone (H1) is attached to each
nucleosome, to form the chromatosome

146 bp

a strand of DNA with attached nucleosomes

See T.A Brown 2011. Figure 11.6 & 11.7. Page 215

Metaphase Chromosome
20
 Chromosomes
condense and
become visible

30-nm chromatin fiber

 DNA and histone protein
components of chromosomes

Nucleosomes

DNA

Genetic material
 21

Annunziato, A. (2008) DNA packaging: Nucleosomes and chromatin. Nature Education 1(1):26
 22

https://youtu.be/gbSIBhFwQ4s
 Centriole
23

Located in centrosome

Associated with the organization of spindle fibers during
the early phases of cell division

play an important role in the movement of
chromosomes
The role of the centromeres 24
during cell division
• Two sister chromatids are linked
together at the centromere.

• The centromere is the position at

which the chromosome
(kinetochore) attaches to the
microtubules (spindle fibres).

• Microtubules draw daughters into

their respective nuclei during cell
division.
Morphological features of
25
metaphase chromosomes
Centromere location gives a chromosome’s
characteristic shape
 Human Karyogram 26
Karyotype
• Constructed for analysis
of chromosomes
• A complete set of
chromosomes from a
cell that has been
visualized during cell
division

The chromosomes are

shown with the G-banding
pattern obtained after
Giemsa staining.

See T.A Brown 2011. Figure 11.15. Page 220

Human Karyotype 27
Three Phases of the Cell Cycle
28

The events that occur from the completion of one division

until the completion of the next division constitute the cell
cycle.

1. Interphase

2. Mitosis

3.Cytokinesis
Three Phases of the Cell Cycle
29

The events that occur from the completion of one division

until the completion of the next division constitute the cell
cycle.
 30
The Cell Cycle

1. Interphase
•The period of time in the cell cycle between mitotic
divisions
•Cell’s
growth, perform their normal function,
G1+S+G2
The Cell Cycle 31

Interphase
The initial stage of the cell cycle, as the interval
between divisions.

G1 + S + G2

Cellular contents are duplicated during interphase.

DNA is synthesis occurs before the cell enters mitosis

and is called the S phase.
 Three Stages of Interphase
G1 Phase
32

Cell growth, metabolism (synthesizes mRNA and proteins )
Time

Cell contains 46 chromosomes (diploid – 2n)
Longest

The cell doubles in size and replenishes organelles and phase
ribosomes and prepares for chromosome replication ≈5 h-
weeks

S Phase

DNA synthesis. Chromosomal DNA molecules are replicated.
Copies of chromosomes are generated 6-8 h

G2 Phase

Preparation period for cell division

Each chromosome has been replicated – contains 2 DNA
molecules 3-4 h

At the end of G2, chromosomes begin to condense

 33

G0
Resting Phase
 Many times, a cell will leave the cell cycle,
temporarily or permanently. It exits the cycle at
G1 and enters a stage designated G0.

 A G0 cell is often called "quiescent” [dormant],

where the cell is neither dividing nor preparing
to divide.
The Cell Cycle 34

2. Mitosis
•Form of cell division that produces two cells, each
having the same complement of chromosomes as
the parental cell (growth-replacement)

3. Cytokinesis
• The cytoplasmic division phase of cell division
Mitosis
35
• Nuclear and cell division occurs.
• Producing 2 cells, which have the same
complement of chromosomes as the parental
cell.
• Type of cell division in somatic cells.
• For growth, replacement.
• Usually takes around 1 hour.
Chromosomes are distributed equally
into 2 daughter cells (2n)

Chromosomes= 2n Chromosomes= 4n Chromosomes = 2n

DNA = 4C DNA= 4C DNA= 2C
Four phases of Mitosis 36

1. Prophase
2. Metaphase
3. Anaphase
4. Telophase
 Prophase
37

Chromosomes have begun to
condense and become
visible.

The nuclear membrane
breaks down and centrioles
move to opposite sides of cell

Chromosomes contain sister
chromatids joined at the
centromere

At prometaphase, and
microtubules start attaching
to chromosomes (to reach
kinetochores)

See T.A Brown 2011. Figure 11.27, p. 229

 Metaphase
38

The chromosomes ,
are fully condensed
and aligned on the
equator of the cell

kinetochore is properly
attached to a bundle of
microtubules
Anaphase 39

• Centromere splits and sister

chromatids start to
separate towards
centrosomes found at
opposite poles
• each migrating chromatid
is now referred to as a
daughter chromosome.
• The middle of the cell
becomes constricted
towards the end of
anaphase
Telophase 40

• Last stage of mitosis

• Chromosomes of the
daughter cells
decondense
• daughter chromosome
are separated
• Nucleus reforms– New
nuclear membranes
form around the two
sets of nuclei
 The control of the cell cycle
41

Cyclins
phase

Figure 17-14 Molecular Biology of the Cell (© Garland Science 2008)

P53-Guardian of the Genome
42
 The p53 protein senses DNA damage and can halt
progression of the cell cycle in G1.

 It can arrest growth by holding the cell cycle at the G1/S

 It can activate DNA repair proteins

 It can initiate apoptosis

Mitosis movie (video) 43

Mitosis avi (video)

Mitosis 44

• The genetic material is

partitioned into
daughter cells via
nuclear division
(Karyokinesis)

• Cytokinesis- division of
the cytoplasm.

• Organelles are
distributed to two
daughter cells
Mitosis is Essential for Growth 45
and Cell Replacement

Human cells are genetically programmed to
divide about 50 times (known as Hayflick
limit)

Alterations in the limits to cell division can

lead to genetic disorders such as premature
aging or to cancer.
Keep In Mind 46

Cancer is a disease of the cell cycle.

Progeria- also known as Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome (HGPS),

is a rare genetic condition that causes a child's body to age
fast.
 47

Next week
 Inheritance of DNA Molecules during Meiosis

Reading Assignment
Klug, Concepts of Genetics, 2016. p.60-70