Practical lessons of Genetics

Cell
Division
Mitosis &
Meiosis

Image: Cell Division, Wikipedia

 The Cell Cycle
• Cell Cycle: The regular pattern of growth ,
DNA duplication, and cell division that occurs
in eukaryotic cells .
Eukaryotic Cell Cycle
– Cell grows.
– DNA is replicated.
– Mitotic cell division produces
daughter cells identical to the
parent.
– Repeat.

The timing of replication and

cell division is highly
regulated.
Eukaryotic Cell Cycle
2 major phases:

• Interphase (3 stages)
– DNA is not condensed

• Mitosis (4 stages + cytokinesis)

– Nuclear division & division of
cytoplasm
– DNA condensed
 Interphase
• Interphase
– Longest part of a cell's life cycle
• Called the "resting stage" because the cell isn't dividing

– Purpose: cells grow, develop, & carry on all their normal

metabolic functions

– There are 3 parts

• 1.) Gap 1
• 2.) Synthesis
• 3.) Gap 2
 Interphase
Non-dividing state
with 3 sub-stages:
Gap 1 – cell grows in size
– organelles replicated

Synthesis – replication of DNA

– synthesis of proteins
associated with DNA

Gap 2 – synthesis of proteins

associated with mitosis

Image: Cell cycle by Richard Wheeler; Interphase in Onion Cell

Drawing & Photo, Source Unknown
 Mitosis Interphase

Animal cell Plant cell

Photographs from: http://www.bioweb.uncc.edu/biol1110/Stages.htm

 Mitosis
Division of somatic cells (non-reproductive
cells) in eukaryotic organisms.

A single cell divides into two identical

daughter cells.

Daughter cells have same number of

chromosomes as does parent cell.
Packing for the move…
When the cell is not dividing…
• DNA molecules are in extended,
uncondensed form = chromatin
• Cell can only replicate and
transcribe DNA when it is in the
extended state.

When the cell is preparing for

division…
• DNA molecules condense to form
chromosomes prior to division.
• each chromosome is a single
molecule of DNA
• easier to sort and organize the
replicated DNA into daughter cells
Mitosis
4 sub-phases:
1st – Prophase

2nd – Metaphase

3rd – Anaphase

4th – Telophase

followed by

Cytokinesis
 Prophase
• Chromosomes now called chromatids because they
doubled to form short thick rods which pair up and
line up in the center of the nucleus.
• A centromere connects the two halves of the doubled
chromatids.
• Spindle fibers begin to form.
– Spindle fiber:. a fibrous structure from the
cytoplasm which forms to the centriole.
• Centrioles move to opposite sides of the cell.
• The nuclear membrane breaks down.
Prophase
 Mitosis Prophase
Animal cell Plant cell

Photographs from: http://www.bioweb.uncc.edu/biol1110/Stages.htm

Prophase
 Metaphase
• Centromeres of the chromatid pairs line up in
the middle of the cell.
• Metaphase plate- location where the
centromeres line up in the center of the cell.
• By the end of metaphase each chromatid has
attached to spindle fibers.
Metaphase
 Mitosis Metaphase
Animal cell Plant cell

Photographs from: http://www.bioweb.uncc.edu/biol1110/Stages.htm

Metaphase
 Anaphase
• The spindle fibers pull the chromatids apart.
• This separates each one from its duplicate.
These move to opposite sides of the cell.
• Now there are two identical sets of
chromosomes.
Anaphase
Mitosis Anaphase

Photographs from: http://www.bioweb.uncc.edu/biol1110/Stages.htm

Anaphase
 Telophase
1. Nuclear membrane forms at each end of
the cell around the chromosomes
2. Nucleolus reform
3. Chromosomes become less tightly coiled
& appear as chromatin again
4. Signifies completion of nuclear division
Telophase
 Mitosis Telophase
Animal cell Plant cell

Photographs from: http://www.bioweb.uncc.edu/biol1110/Stages.htm

Telophase
 Cytokinesis – Plant vs. Animal Cell

• Plant cells undergo cytokinesis

by forming a cell plate between
the two daughter nuclei.

• Animal cells undergo

cytokinesis through the
formation of a cleavage furrow. A
ring of microtubules contract,
pinching the cell in half.

Images: Telophase drawing, Henry Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body;

Ciliate dividing, TheAlphaWolf; Telophase Onion Cell Photo, Source Unknown
Thank you