Cell Division Unit

A. All cells of the body reproduce by the cell cycle, mitosis. All of the sex cells
(sperm and egg) reproduce by a process called meiosis. This unit will focus on
mitosis and later in the year well deal with the meiosis. All cells divide
(reproduce) at different rates, depending on the bodys need of a particular kind of
cell. Examples: skin cells every 2 weeks, red blood cells every 4 months, the
intestinal lining cells every 4-5 days, liver cells every 300-500 days. Cells
reproduce faster in embryos and children than in adults. Cell size increases; its
volume increases faster than its surface area. When the surface area to volume
ratio is too small, the cell cannot move materials into and out of the cell fast
enough. There must be a balance in a cell growing properly or it will die, therefore,
there is a limit to a cells size (how big or small it can be). (See p. 137 in text).
B. Chromosome = a long thread of DNA that contains genetic information. A normal
person has 23 pairs (46 chromosomes). When DNA doubles, it is called a
chromosome. A chromosome is made of two chromatids held together by a
centromere (See p. 139 in text).

C. Stages of the Cell Cycle

INTERPHASE BEGINS (G1, S, and G2)

1. Gap 1 (G1) = cell does its normal function. Ex. A liver secretes bile, the
mouth secretes saliva, skeletal muscle contracts to bend the arm or leg.
Cells increase in size and their organelles increase in number. Generally,
cells spend the most time in Gap 1 phase. There is a critical checkpoint
for next stage to occur.
2.Synthesis (S )= cell makes copy of its DNA in the cells nucleus (in only
eukaroytes).
3.Gap 2 (G2) = cell continues its normal function and there is more cell
growth. There is a critical checkpoint for next stage to occur.
INTERPHASE ENDS (G1, S, and G2)
4.Mitosis (M) = This is when the cell is actively dividing/reproducing and is
composed of two stages, mitosis and cytokinesis.
a. Mitosis = the cell nucleus and its contents divide. The nuclear
membrane (around the nucleus) dissolves, DNA condenses and
separates, and two new nuclei form with identical DNA.
(1.)Prophase = The chromatids ( chromosomes made of DNA)
double, the nuclear envelope (which surrounds the nucleus)
disappears, the centrioles move to opposite poles, and spindle
fibers form.
(2.)Metaphase = Chromosomes line up across the cell (on the
equator).
(3.)Anaphase = Chromosomes separate and go to opposite
sides of cell (poles).
(4.)Telophase = Cytoplasm is beginning to separate into two
new daughter cells. A nuclear membrane, containing identical
chromosomes, forms in each new daughter cell .

Please Me And Tell

b. Cytokinesis = cell cytoplasm divides and two new daughter cells

are formed. Each of the two new daughter cells has DNA, identical
to that of the mother (original cell).
D. External and internal factors affect the growth of cells.
1. External factors include: cells touching one another (cell contact) cause
growth to stop, growth factors (released chemicals) cause cells to grow
faster, growth hormones increases bone growth and affects your protein
and fat metabolism, moving from the ocean to the mountains increases
the number of red blood cells and raises the oxygen level.
2. Internal factors include: kinases and cyclins. Kinases are enzymes that
are controlled by cyclins, which are a type of protein.
E. Apoptosis = programmed cell death that is triggered by internal and external
factors which produce self-destructive enzymes. The cell is programmed to shrink,
break apart, and be eaten up by specialized cells in the immune system.
F.

Cancer = uncontrolled cell division, caused when the cell cycle is not normal.
Cancer is caused when the genes of normal cells have been damaged. Cancer
cells form a tumor which may be benign (be harmless and stay in a cluster of
cells) or malignant (be deadly and break away from the tumor) because the
cancer cells metastasize. These malignant cells travel to other parts of the body
via the blood and lymph systems. (See p. 146 in text).

G. Cancer Treatment: surgery, radiation, stem cell therapy, and/or chemotherapy.

H. Causes of Cancer = there are as many causes as there are types of cancer.
Genetics, exposure to certain chemicals, radiation, sunlight, carcinogens (known
chemicals such as tobacco or air pollution), and human papilloma virus (HPV).