CHAPTER 5: CELL DIVISION

CELL CYCLE
The regular sequence of stages that a cell passes through between the time it begins
to divide and the time next cycle begins
FACTORS AFFECTING THE RATE AND DURATION OF A CELL CYCLE

The effect of the cells own genes

Availability of nutrients
Environmental conditions such as oxygen, temperature and certain chemicals

THE CELL CYCLE CONSISTS OF

Interphase: occur before mitosis. Growth and metabolism. Chromosome are
elongated, thin threads called chromatin which are difficult to be seen under light
microscope.
1) G1 PHASE (GROWTH PHASE I): Cell have high metabolic rate and synthesis of
protein and cellular organelles occur. Cells grow rapidly.
2) S PHASE (SYNTHESIS PHASE): DNA synthesis and replication occurs followed
by chromosomal duplication. Cell continues to grow.
3) G2 PHASE (GROWTH PHASE II): Preparation of growth. More growth occur. In
animal cells, centrioles replicates and spindle fibres start to form.
There is an increased rate of ATP synthesis.
Mitotic phase: including mitosis and cytokinesis

MITOSIS
Nuclear division producing 2 similar daughter nuclei, followed by cytokinesis
producing 2 similar daughter cells, each contain same number of chromosome
and same genetic content as the parent nucleus.
PROPHASE

Chromosomes become condense, shorter, thicker, more tightly coiled and

visible under light microscope.
Each replicated chromosome consists of two sister chromatids held
together at the centromere
Centrioles separate to opposite poles and start forming spindle fibres. In
many plant cells, spindle fibre form without centrioles.
At the end of prophase, nucleolus disappear and nuclear membrane break
down

METAPHASE

The chromosomes line up at the equatorial plane of the spindle fibre

known as metaphase plate
Each chromosome is attached by the centromere to the spindle fibre.
Metaphase ends when centromere start to divide.

ANAPHASE

The spindle fibre shorten, separate and pull the sister chromatids to
opposite poles of the cell.
Each chromatid is now called a daughter chromosome.

TELOPHASE

Starts when two sets of chromosomes have separated and have reached
the opposite poles of the cell.
A nuclear membrane forms around each set of daughter chromosomes.
The chromosomes uncoil and became long, thin chromatin threads again
and now invisible under light microscope. Nucleoli form again in each
daughter nucleus.
The spindle fibre disintegrate

CYTOKINESIS
A cytoplasmic division occurs right after nucleus formed which is during late
prophase.
After cytokinesis, the new cell enter G1 phase of interphase again completing a
new cell cycle.
In animal:

Cytokinesis occur when the actin microfilaments in the middle of the cell
are contracted causing the plasma membrane to invaginate forming a
cleavage furrow.
The plasma membrane on each side of the furrow eventually joins up,
dividing the cytoplasm forming two daughter cells.

In plant:

Cytokinesis occur when vesicles produced by Golgi apparatus are collected

at the middle of the cell, fused to form a cell plate. The plate extends
outwards, joining the plasma membrane.
Cellulose is deposited on the outside of the new plasma membranes
forming new cell walls. The cell eventually divides forming two daughter
cells.

IMPORTANCE OF MITOSIS
IMPORTANCE OF CONTROLLED MITOSIS

The cell usually divide only when necessary. This enables cell division to occur at
right time for replacement of injured, damaged and dead cells. This is to ensure
that they are synchronised among various organs so that the overall maturity is
reached at a particular time.
EFFECTS OF UNCONTROLLED MITOSIS IN LIVING THINGS
In uncontrolled mitosis, cells divide repeatedly and uncontrollably to form an
abnormal mass of undifferentiated cells called a tumour.
Tumour can be malignant or benign.
Malignant tumour or cancerous tumour can cause a cancer. The cells in
malignant tissues divide freely causing the tissues invade, grpw and destroy
adjacent tissues. Pieces of malignant tissues may break off and be carried out by
the bloodstream or lymphatic system to invade other parts of the body forming a
secondary growth. This process is called metastasis.
Benign tumour usually grow slowly and are not cancerous. They are localised
lumps of cells and generally do not invade adjacent tissues or spread to other
sites.
Factors that increased the risk of contracting cancer include

Inheriting mutant genes that make the cells more prone to uncontrolled
mitosis. This is the hereditary factor
Gene mutations that regulate normal cell growth and division
Viruses which insert oncogenes into DNA of infected cells. Oncogenes are
genes that cause uncontrolled mitosis leading cancerous growth.
Chemical carcinogens such as tobacco smoke, tar, and asbestos.
Exposure to UV light and ionising radiation such as X-rays can lead to gene
mutation eventually causes uncontrolled mitosis.

APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT MITOSIS IN CLONING

MEIOSIS

MITOSIS VS MEIOSIS