Introduction to Cell
Division
Remember – All
Living Things are
Made of Cells
Why Are Cells Small?
• As cells get bigger,
more of its cytoplasm is
located further from the
cell membrane.
• If a cell gets too big, it
will take too long to get
materials into the cell
and too long to get
waste out of the cell.
• Smaller cells are more
Cell Division
• All cells come from other living
cells.
• You (and other living things)
grow because your cells get
bigger and your number of
cells gets larger.
– A single cell divides into
two cells.
– Two cells divide into four,
etc.
• Cells must also divide because
old cells die and need new
cells to replace them!
The Cell Cycle
• Divided into three main stages:
– Interphase – cell grows into
its mature size, makes a copy
of its DNA, and prepares for
division.
– Mitosis – one copy of the
DNA is distributed into each
of its daughter cells
– Cytokinesis – the cytoplasm
divides and organelles are
distributed into the two new
cells
Interphase
• Interphase is made up of 3 separate parts.
• Interphase is the stage that the cell is in for
most of its life!
Sister Chromatids & Chromosomes
Human somatic cells (any cell other than a
gamete) have 23 pairs of chromosomes. – one
from mom and one from dad. These are called
homologous chromosomes.
Copy of chromosome from mom
or dad
Chromosome made in S phase of
Interphase
Chromatin, Chromatids and
Chromosomes
• The cell’s chromatin
condenses into
chromosomes
• The chromosomes look
like an “X”
– Each chromosome is
made up of two
identical sister
chromatids attached
by a centromere
– This is “created” in S
phase of interphase
Chromosome Structure
Learning Checkpoint
1. T/F: Interphase is usually divided into 3 phases: G1, S, G2.
2. The ________ is the regular sequence of growth and division that cells undergo.
3. ________ is the stage of the cell cycle where the cell grows to its mature size, copies
it DNA, and prepare to divide.
4. Cells can not get too big because:
A. there is not enough DNA to support large cells
B. diffusion is too slow to provide for large cells
C. the surface area of a cell increases too fast for the cell membrane to meet
its needs.
D. all of the above
5. DNA is replicated during:
A. interphase
B. prophase
C. metaphase
D. cytokinesis
Mitosis and
Cytokinesis
Mitosis
• The cells’ copied genetic
material separates and the
cell prepares to split into two
cells (with diploid number of
chromosomes)
• This allows the cell’s genetic
material to pass into the new
cells
– The resulting daughter
cells are genetically
Where Do I Find
DNA?
• Chromosomes are in the
nucleus of every cell.
• Chromosomes are made up
of DNA.
• Genes are pieces of DNA
that contain the instructions
for building a protein.
The Four Stages of
Mitosis
• Remember PMAT!
• Prophase
• Metaphase
• Anaphase
• Telophase
Prophase
• Nucleus disappears
• Spindle fibers form in the cytoplasm
• Spindle fibers attach to sister chromatids
Centrioles
Metaphase
• The sister chromatids are pulled to the center
of the cell
• They line up in the middle of the cell
Spindle fibers
Anaphase
• Spindle fibers begin to shorten
• The sister chromatids are pulled to the
opposite ends of the cell
Telophase
• The sister chromatids arrive at the opposite
poles of the cell and begin to unravel
• New nucleus begins to form
Cytokinesis
• Cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm
• Results in two separate daughter cells with
identical nuclei
Real-Life Cells
Dividing!
Animated Mi
tosis
Mitosis Learning
Checkpoint
1. Which phase do cells
spend the most
time?
2. What are the 3
stages of
interphase?
3. What kinds of cells
go through mitosis?
4. What are the 4
stages of mitosis?
5. What is the result of
mitosis?
Meiosis
Summary of Meiosis Process
Meiosis - the process of cell division that produces
haploid gametes (half the number of chromosomes:
humans: 23)
Reduction Division
• Since the sperm and the egg
contain only half the number of
chromosomes, they cannot be
formed from mitosis.
– Cell undergoes 2 rounds of
cell division:
• Meiosis 1
• Meiosis 2
• Humans have 46 chromosomes
in their somatic cells.
The Sexual Life Cycle
Unique Features
of Meiosis
Feature #1 – Synapsis
Following chromosome
replication, the
homologous
chromosomes pair all
along their length.
This process is called
synapsis.
Unique Features of
Meiosis
Feature #2 – Crossing
Over
While the homologous
chromosomes are joined,
crossing over occurs.
Crossing over is the
exchange of genetic
material from homologous
chromosomes.
This causes genetic variations.
Unique Features of Meiosis
Feature #3 – Reduction Division
The chromosomes are not copied in between the
two divisions. At the end of meiosis, each cell
contains one half the genetic material. (haploid or
“n”)
Meiosis I
• Preceded by Interphase-
chromosomes are replicated to
form sister chromatids
• Sister chromatids are
genetically identical and joined
at centromere
• Single centrosome replicates,
forming 2 centrosomes
• Individual chromosomes first become
visible
– homologous chromosomes become
closely associated in synapsis
Prophase I – crossing over occurs
• Crossing over is a complex series of
events in which DNA segments are
exchanged between nonsister or sister
chromatids.
Metaphase I
• The homologous
chromosomes
line up in the
center of the cell
and are still held
together
Anaphase I
• Spindle fibers shorten
• The homologous chromosomes are separated
(the sister chromatids are still paired)
• Independent assortment – random
chromosomes move to each pole; some may be
maternal and some may be paternal
Telophase I
• The nuclear membrane
reforms around each
daughter nucleus
• Each new cell now
contains two sister
chromatids that are
NOT identical due to
crossing over
At the end of Meiosis I…
• You have made 2 cells
• Each cell contains a
haploid number of
chromosomes – 1 copy of
each chromosome
(for humans, each haploid
cell has 23 chromosomes)
• Meiosis II resembles
normal, mitotic division
Prophase II
• Nuclear membrane breaks down again
Metaphase II
• The chromosomes line up in the middle of the
cell.
Anaphase II
• The spindle fibers shorten and the sister
chromatids move to opposite poles.
Telophase II
• Nuclear envelope re-forms around the four
sets of daughter chromosomes.
At the end of Meiosis II…
• At the end of Meiosis II, there are 4 haploid
cells. (only 1 copy of each chromosome)
– (for humans, each haploid cell has 23
chromosomes)
• No two of these haploid cells are alike due to
crossing over.
– Therefore you and your siblings are genetically
unique!
Meiosis Vs Mitosis
Meiosis Quick Check Questions:
1. What kinds of cells does mitosis produce?
2. How many chromosomes do human haploid
cells have?
3. What kinds of cells does meiosis produce?
4. How many cells are produced when one cell
goes through meiosis?
5. How many times are chromosomes replicated
during meiosis?
6. How do cells in meiosis get to be different?
7. If an organism’s somatic cells have 36
chromosomes, how many chromosomes do their
gametes have?
