When most cells reach a certain size, they either

stop growing or divide into two cells.

6-2 Mitosis and Cell Division

• OBJECTIVES
• Describe cell reproduction in bacteria and
eukaryotes.
• Summarize the events of mitosis and
cytokinesis.
• Define cell cycle. Describe a cell's
activities during interphase.
• Explain how cancer arises.
 Size, Order & Information
• Once it reaches a certain
size, a cell will either stop
growing or divide.
• Chromosomes carry an
organism's genetic
information and must be
transmitted in an orderly
fashion during cell
reproduction.
• To do this, a cell must first
copy the genetic information
contained within its
chromosomes.
• As the cell divides, each new
cell will receive a complete
copy of the genetic chromosome
information.
Bacteria Simply Split
• In bacteria, the process
of cell division appears
fairly simple.
• A bacterium becomes
larger.
• Then its single circle of
DNA attaches to the
inner surface of the cell
membrane and makes
a copy of itself.
• The copy of the
chromo­some attaches
to a different part of the
inner wall of the
bacterium.
Bacteria Simply Split
• New membrane and
wall materials begin to
form between the two
chromosomes, near the
middle of the cell.
• The elongated cell
pinches inward at this
point, and the cell is
split into two cells.

• Each cell contains a

circle of DNA and is an
independent, living
bacterium.
 Bacteria simply split
This bacterium is dividing. The process will be
completed in about 20 minutes.

Starting at a point of its Side by side, the two copies

circular chromosome, a of hereditary information
bacterium makes a copy attach to the inner wall of
of its DNA. the bacterium.

Eventually, the cell is split into two

cells. Each cell contains its own A new membrane and cell
DNA and is a distinct living wall form between the DNA
bacterium. copies, gradually pinching
inward
 Cell Division

During mitosis, copies

of chromosomes are
divided into two equal
sets.
 DNA in Eukaryotic Cells
• Eukaryotic cells carry
far more DNA than
prokaryotic cells.
• During cell division, the
DNA in eukaryotic cells
is packaged into tightly
wound chromosomes.

• Cell division plays a

major role in the
development and
maintenance of the
tissues of eukaryotic
organisms.
 Copying and Sorting
• Each chromosome
must be copied exactly.
• The chromosomes must
be sorted out precisely
so that each new cell
gets a complete set.
• Finally the cell itself can
divide in half.
• Two processes enable
eukaryotic cells to
divide successfully:
mitosis and cell
division or
cytokinesis.
 Mitosis
• In most cells, mitosis is followed by
cytokinesis, when the cell divides into two
cells, each with its own nucleus.

• Plant cells cannot pinch like animal cells

therefore a new cell wall develops between
the new nuclei eventually dividing the cell in
two.

• The end result of mitosis and cytokinesis is

two cells with the same genetic information.
 Mitosis

• Mitosis is the process

during which the
nucleus divides to form
prophase two nuclei, each with a
complete set of the
metaphase cell's chromosomes.

• Mitosis can be broken

down into four distinct
phases: prophase,
metaphase, anaphase,
and telophase.
anaphase
telophase
Click image to view movie.
 The Cell Cycle
• Mitosis and cytokinesis • This cycle of growth
are just small portions and division is called
of a cell's life span. the cell cycle.

• The cell cycle is divided into the five phases ­ G1, G2,
and S alternate with a cell-division phase (mitosis and
cytokinesis).
 Interphase Is the Most Active Part of
the Cell Cycle
• During interphase the cell carries out most of
the functions of life ­ taking in food, converting
energy, discarding wastes, growing, and
differentiating.
• In addition, the cell is duplicating it genetic
material and organelles.
• Interphase occurs in three distinct stages:
• During G1 stage the cell undergoes intense
growth ­ the cells of many organisms spend
most of their lives in this phase.
 Interphase Is the Most Active Part of
the Cell Cycle
• The cell may enter the S stage when the cell
makes a precise copy of the DNA molecule in
each of its chromosomes.
• During the G2 stage the cell continues to
grow, duplicate its organelles and prepare for
cell division.
• Once finished, the cell enters the M phase or
mitosis when the two copies of each
chromosome are separated.
• During the final phase – C phase – it divides
in half and becomes two new, identical cells.
Cell Cycle Lengths Differ Among Cell
Types
• The time it takes to complete a cell cycle
varies among organisms.

• In plants the cell cycle usually lasts between

10 and 30 hours.

• In animals, the cell cycle can take between

18 and 24 hours, but it may be much
shorter.
 Cell Cycle Lengths Differ Among Cell
Types
• Embryonic fruit flies hold the record for the
fastest known animal cell cycle — 8 minutes.
• Some cells such as nerve cells and some types
of muscle cells never complete a cell cycle –
they remain in the G1 stage and typically never
divide again.
• Other cells such as skin cells and cells in the
intestine divide almost continuously.
• Cells appear to be programmed to undergo
only so many divisions and then die – e.g.
human cells divide about 50 times and then die.
 Controlling the Cell Cycle
• Only recently scientists began to unlock the
secrets of what controls the cell cycle.

• Researchers discovered that animal cells use

a group of proteins called cyclins to help
control various phases of the cell cycle.

• e.g. S­cyclin helps stimulate DNA replication

in the S phase and M­cyclin helps trigger
Mitosis.
 Controlling the Cell Cycle
• Other proteins, called growth factors,
influence Cyclins and trigger genes that make
specific cyclins.

• Other growth factors restrain a cell's growth

by blocking the action of cyclins.

• The joint efforts of proteins like these help

keep a cell's cycle in check and prevent
unnecessary cell division.
 Cancer arises from a faulty cell cycle

• Mechanisms controlling
the cell cycle sometimes
become damaged and
fail.

• Unregulated cells begin

to grow and divide
without control resulting
in a lump of tissue
called a tumor.
 Cancer Arises From a Faulty Cell Cycle

• A tumor may stay

where it originally
formed, is usually
harmless and is
described as benign.

• Or a tumor may
continue to grow and
invade other tissues
and is described as
cancerous.

• Cancer is a term used to describe a disease

characterized by uncontrolled cell division and growth.
 Cancer Results From a Malfunction of
the Cell Cycle
• A faulty cell cycle produces many changes in a cell,
making it very different from a normal one.
• Cancer cells are typically very round, making them
more mobile than normal cells.

• Normal cells can usually only grow on a solid surface

whereas cancer cells can also grow in liquids.

• The abnormal proteins and lipids in the outer

membranes of cancer cells also prevent them from
reacting to signals in their environment.
 Other Causes
• Several independent
changes must occur to
cause a cancer.
• Genetic changes called
mutation.
• Environmental agents
such as radiation and
carcinogens in
cigarette smoke and
other environmental
factors.
• Repeated exposure to
ultraviolet (UV)
radiation.
• Diet and obesity.
SECTION REVIEW
How is cell division in bacteria similar to that in
eukaryotes?

How does it differ?

SECTION REVIEW
How does mitosis ensure that a new cell
resembles its parent cell?
SECTION REVIEW
What is the cell cycle?

Are the cell cycles of all organisms the same?

Explain.
SECTION REVIEW
What is cancer?

What are some of the factors that may cause a

cell to become cancerous?
References & Acknowledgements
• Johnson, George B.: Biology, Visualizing Life,
HOLT, RINEHART & WINSTON; Austin,1998.
• Miller, Kenneth R. & Levine, Joseph: Biology,
Prentice Hall; Upper Saddle River, New Jersey,
2004.
• Campbell, Neil A., Williamson, Brad & Heyden,
Robin J. BIOLOGY, Exploring Life, Prentice Hall;
Needham, Massachusetts, 2004.
• Biggs, Alton, Hagins; Whitney Crispen; Kapica,
Chris; Lundgren, Linda; Rillero, Peter; Tallman,
Kathleen G.; Zike, Dinah; National Geographic
Society; Biology, The Dynamics of Life, McGraw
Hill, Glencoe, New York, New York, 2004.
 Photo Credits
• Aaron Haupt
• Corbis
• Digital Stock
• Elaine Shay
• Mark Thayer
• PhotoDisc
• Alton Biggs