CELL DIVISION

MITOSIS
Biology Form 4
SMKBT2
Mitosis

• Mitosis is the process

in which the nucleus
divides to form two
new identical nuclei.
Why cells need to divide?

• Unicellular organism
– Asexual reproduction

• Multicellular organism
– Growth
– Repair
– Replacement
Why produce identical cells?

• Somatic cells contains 2 sets of chromosomes,

maternal and paternal = diploid, 2n
• Gametes (sperm and ovum) have only single set
of unpaired chromosomes = haploid, n
• Each organisms has its own fixed number of
chromosomes, e.g. human has 46 chromosomes
(23 pairs).
• Producing identical cells preserves the
diploid number of chromosomes.
Significance of mitosis

• Produces new cells for growth, repair and

replace damaged or dead cells.
• Forms asexual reproduction in unicellular
organisms.
• Ensures new cells are identical to parent cells.
• Preserves the diploid number of
chromosomes of species.
The Cell Cycle
Series of cellular
Interphase
reproductive events in
which duplication of
cell content and cell
division occur in an
orderly sequence G1
S

Cytokinesis
telophase
anaphase
Mitosis G2
metaphase
prophase

Mitotic (M) phase

Cell Cycle
• Consist of 2 major phases:
Phase 1: Interphase
Phase 2: Mitotic phase (M phase)

• Interphase involves preparation for cell division

– It has 3 subphases: G1, S, G2
– G1, G2: cell growth, produce proteins and organelles,
cell differentiation
– S: synthesis of DNA, duplication of chromosomes
and replication of DNA
• M phase, the cell divides
– Includes mitosis (nuclear division) and cytokinesis
(cytoplasmic division)
 • Chromosomes are duplicated (# doubles)
• Chromosomes appear as threadlike coils
(chromatin) at the start

Cell membrane
Nucleus

Cytoplasm
 Animal Cell Plant Cell

Photographs from: http://www.bioweb.uncc.edu/biol1110/Stages.htm

 • Chromosomes condense
• Centrioles (or poles) appear and begin to move to
opposite end of the cell.
• Nuclear membrane disappear
• Nucleolus disappear
• Spindle fibers form between the poles.

Centrioles
Sister
chromatids

Spindle fibers
 Animal Cell Plant Cell

Photographs from: http://www.bioweb.uncc.edu/biol1110/Stages.htm

• Chromatids (or pairs of chromosomes)
attach to the spindle fibers, line up on equator
• Each chromatid face opposite poles
• End when centromere divides

Centrioles

Spindle fibers
 Animal Cell Plant Cell

Photographs from: http://www.bioweb.uncc.edu/biol1110/Stages.htm

• Chromatids (or pairs of chromosomes)
separate and begin to move to opposite ends
of the cell.
• Shortening of spindle fibre
• Chromatids  chromosomes (daughter)

Centrioles

Spindle fibers
 Animal Cell Plant Cell

Photographs from: http://www.bioweb.uncc.edu/biol1110/Stages.htm

• Two new nuclei form.
• Chromosomes appear as chromatin (threads rather
than rods).
• 2 sets of chromosomes  one at each pole
• Spindle fibres disappear
• Nucleolus & nuclear membrane are formed
• Mitosis ends.
Nuclei
Nuclei

Chromatin
 Animal Cell Plant Cell

Photographs from: http://www.bioweb.uncc.edu/biol1110/Stages.htm

• Cell membrane moves inward (constrict) around
the equator of cell to create two daughter cells
– each with its own nucleus with identical
chromosomes.
CYTOKINESIS (ANIMAL)
CYTOKINESIS (PLANT)

• In plant cells, cytokinesis starts with formation of cell

plate at the equator of cell
• Cell plate enlarges until it fuses with plasma membrane
• New cell wall is produced and separates the two
daughter cells
 Animal Mitosis -- Review
Interphase Prophase

                                                      
       
                                                     
        
Metaphase Anaphase

                                                      
       
                                                     
        
Telophase Interphase

                                                      
       
                                                     
        
 Plant Mitosis -- Review
Interphase Prophase

                                                         
    
                                                        
     
Metaphase Anaphase

                                                         
    
                                                        
     
Telophase Interphase

                                                         
    
                                                        
     
 MITOSIS
ANIMAL PLANT
Similarities:
Two identical cells are formed at the end of a division
They produce more cells and cause growth
Differences:
Centrioles found at each pole No centrioles
during mitosis (cortical microtubules)
Mainly localized in special
regions called meristems to
Cells divide everywhere, all
either elongate the tips of
the time
stems and roots or expand
the girth of the plant
Formation of cleavage furrow Formation of cell plate that
at the equatorial plane grow outwards
REGULATION OF CELL CYCLE

• The cell cycle is

controlled by
genes, therefore
controlled the
process of mitosis
• Each type of cell
has its own timing
and rate of cell
division
• Some has
frequent division,
some only when
needed and some
do not divide at all
Controlled Mitosis

• The ability of cell to divide at its own timing and

rate
• Enables normal growth and development and
maintenance for perpetuity of living things
Uncontrolled Mitosis

• If the genes that regulate the cell cycle are

damaged or mutated, cell divide uncontrollably
• Cause:
– Harmful ray: nuclear radiation, UV ray
– Certain viruses
– Certain carcinogenic chemicals: food additives,
benzo (α) pyrene in cigarette smoke
The Effects of Uncontrolled Mitosis
• Unregulated and very fast
division increase the
number of abnormal cells
• Form an abnormal mass –
tumour
• Types of tumour:
Brain
– Malignant
cancer
• Invasive by
metastasis Breast
• Cancer cancer
– Benign
• Localize What is the treatment of
• Does not cause cancer?
serious problems
• Remove by surgery
Mitosis Application: CLONING

• The process to produce genetically identical

cells / tissues / organisms / population from the
mitosis of a single parent cell (clone)
• Naturally: asexual reproduction, vegetative
propagation (plant)
• Artificially: cloning (animal), tissue culture (plant)
Why?
– Increase quantity
– Improve quality
– Ensure uniformity of traits
Animal Cloning
Cloning is carried
out by replacing
nucleus of an
unfertilised egg cell
with the nucleus of a
diploid cell
Tissue Culture
CLONING OF ORCHID

Meristematic Immersed in Transferred into

tissues are 1% sodium sterile nutrient
extracted hypoclorite medium, incubate
(explant) solution for 5 (35 – 40°C) at
min optimum pH for a
few weeks to
produce mass of
tissue (callus),
transferred into
fresh medium for
growth, potting
ADVANTAGES OF CLONING

• rapid multiplication, mass production in short

time
• genetically identical, desirable traits inherited
and propagated
• therapeutic cloning, replace damaged or
diseased tissues / organs
• fetal cell cloning, early detection of genetic
defects
• no seeds / difficult to germinate, propagate
endangered or rare species
DISADVANTAGES OF CLONING

• no genetic variation, susceptible to changes and

new diseases, extinction
• possibility of mutations, harmful effects of GMF
• grow old quickly, shorter lifespan
• exclusion of certain species, decrease
biodiversity
• traits transfer to wild species, creation of
superweeds