Mitosis and the Cell Cycle

Genetic continuity is the transmission of hereditary material through cell division.

The Cell Cycle

–      cells do not divide continuously
–      in cells capable of dividing, the period between cell divisions is called interphase
–      cells spend most of their time in interphase because this is the phase where they perform their functions (obtaining energy, synthesizing products, repair damage, fight disease, duplicate their genetic material and get ready for division)

G₁ phase (first gap phase)
– cell grows and prepares to divide

S phase (synthesis phase)
– genetic material is duplicated

G₂ phase (second gap phase)
– final preparations for cell division

M phase (mitosis)
– cell undergoes mitosis and cytokinesis

Chromosomes

– are made up of DNA
– formed when DNA coils around special histone proteins
– the long strands of DNA become very condensed and folded (chromosomes)
– made up of two chromatids held together by a centromere
– complete formation during metaphase

Mitosis

-cell division of somatic (body cells) in multicellular organisms
–necessary for the growth and development of multicellular organisms, and repair and the replacement of aging cells
-does not occur at a fixed rate  (some cells divide frequently while other cells divide infrequently)
-a parent cell divides to produce two daughter cells; daughter cells are genetically identical to each other
–DNA must be duplicated before mitosis occurs in order to provide each daughter cell with an exact copy of the parental genetic material.  This ensures that every new cell will have the same number and kinds of chromosomes as those in every other cell so that each new cell can function properly

Prophase

–centrioles move to the opposite poles of the cell
-chromatin coil into shorter, thicker chromosomes
-replicated chromosomes appear as strands joined at a single point called a centromere (each identical strand is called a chromatid)
-nuclear envelope breaks down and then disappears
-centrioles produce the mitotic spindle fibres and the spindle fibres attach themselves to the chromatids at their centromere (spindle fibres function to move the chromosomes)

Metaphase

– chromosomes line up across the middle of the cell (the metaphase plate)

Anaphase

– chromatids separate at the centromere and each chromatid is pulled towards opposite poles of the cell

Telophase

-nuclear envelope reforms and nucleoli reappear
-chromosomes uncoil, reforming chromatin

Cytokinesis

-cell membrane pinches inward at the middle of the cell, producing a cleavage furrow
-the furrow deepens until two separate daughter cells are formed

a complete set of chromosomes is called the diploid number

-the characteristic diploid number of chromosomes in humans; somatic cells is 46

William Anderson (Schoolworkhelper Editorial Team)

William completed his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in 2013. He current serves as a lecturer, tutor and freelance writer. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, walking his dog and parasailing. Article last reviewed: 2022 | St. Rosemary Institution © 2010-2024 | Creative Commons 4.0

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