CELL DIVISION

2006 Mesoblast Limited www.mesoblast.com

2007 Paul Billiet ODWS
Cell division is a fundamental process
All cells come from pre-existing cells
It is necessary to replace worn out cells in
multicellular organisms
It is required for growth in multicellular organisms
An increase in size will require an increase in surface area
to volume ration
Cell division subdivides the cytoplasm into small units
(cells) surrounded by plasma membranes
It is necessary for reproduction in unicellular or
multicellular organisms
2007 Paul Billiet ODWS
Cell division and reproduction
It is necessary for
reproduction in
unicellular or
multicellular
organisms
Microbus
Microscope-Microscope.org
2007 Paul Billiet ODWS
Prokaryotes
Prokaryotes have
no nucleus
They have a single
circular chromosome
Prokaryotes simply
divide their cells in
two by binary
fission

http://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu/
2007 Paul Billiet ODWS
Eukaryotes
Eukaryotes must divide their nucleus (and
other organelles such as mitochondria) in
preparation for cell division (mitosis or
meiosis)
Before the nucleus divides the genetic
material replicates (duplicates)
2007 Paul Billiet ODWS
Mitosis
Mitotic division
results in genetically
identical eukaryotic
cells (a clone)
Mitosis is the basis of
asexual
reproduction
Tyler Junior College, (no
commercial use allowed - contact
bott@tjc.edu for permission to use)
2007 Paul Billiet ODWS
Meiosis
Meiosis results in a halving of the
chromosome number in preparation for
fertilisation
Meiosis shuffles genes in new combinations
Meiosis results in genetically different cells
Meiosis and fertilisation are the basis of
sexual reproduction
2007 Paul Billiet ODWS
COMPARING MITOSIS AND
MEIOSIS
2007 Paul Billiet ODWS
COMPARING MITOSIS AND
MEIOSIS
2007 Paul Billiet ODWS