2Mitosis and

Meiosis

Lecture Presentations by
Cindy Malone
California State University, Northridge
Chapter 2 Contents

2.1 Cell Structure Is Closely Tied to Genetic Function

2.2 Chromosomes Exist in Homologous Pairs in Diploid
Organisms
2.3 Mitosis Partitions
Partition s Chromosomes
Chromosome s into Dividing Cells
2.4 Meiosis Creates Haploid Gametes and Spores and
Enhances Genetic Variation in Species
2.5 The Development of Gametes Varies in Spermatogenesis
Spermatog enesis
Compared to Oogenesis
2.6 Meiosis Is Critical to the Sexual Reproduction
Reproducti on in All Diploid
Organisms
2.7 Electron Microscopy Has Revealed the Physical Structure
of Mitotic and Meiotic Chromosomes
Chapter 2 Introduction

  All living organisms contain genetic material made

of the nucleic acid DNA (except viruses).
  An organism’s DNA, with anan array of genes, is
organized into structures called chromosomes.
chromosomes.
 In eukaryotes, genetic continuity/transmission
continuity/transmission of
genetic material from one generation to the next
involves mitosis and meiosis.
meiosis.
Chapter 2 Introduction

   Mitosis leads to production of two cells, each with

the same number of chromosomes as the parent
cell (2n).
   Meiosis reduces genetic content and leads to
production of sex gametes, which contain half the
number of chromosomes ( n).
 Chromosomes are visible as condensed structures
during mitosis and meiosis called chromatin.
 Uncoiled chromosomes, chromatin, form a diffuse
network within the nucleus.
Chapter 2 Introduction

 Differences in cell structure

 – There are two main types of cells:
   Prokaryotic
 – Nonnucleated
 – Bacteria and archaea
   Eukaryotic
 – Nucleated
 – Protists, plants, fungi, animals
Figure 2-1
Section 2.1

  All cells are surrounded by a plasma membrane,

membrane,
which
 – Defines cell boundary
 – Delimits cell from its environment
  Plant cells
 – Have outer covering in addition to plasma membrane
(cell wall)
wall)
 –  Are composed of polysaccharide (cellulose
(cellulose))
Section 2.1

  Animal cells
 – Surrounded by cell coat (glycocalyx
(glycocalyx))
 Made of glycoproteins and polysaccharides
 Differs in chemical composition from plants and
bacteria
 Provides biochemical identity at cell surface
 – Cell-surface markers include: AB, Rh, MN antigens,
receptor molecules—
molecules—recognition sites.
sites.
Section 2.1

  Eukaryotic organisms
 – Membrane-bound nucleus contains DNA complexed
with proteins into thin fibers (chromatin).
 Contains nucleolus
 – rRNA synthesized and initially assembled
 – NOR: nucleolus organizer region; portions of DNA that
encode rRNA

 – During mitosis and meiosis, chromatin fibers coil and

condense to form chromosomes.
Section 2.1

  Prokaryotic organisms
 – Cells lack nuclear envelope and membranous
organelles.
 Genetic material
 – Long, circular DNA molecule compacted into
nucleoid area (Figure 2-2)
 – DNA not as extensively associated with proteins—
does not undergo compaction like eukaryotic cells
 – Prokaryotic cells lack distinct nucleolus but do
contain genes for rRNA synthesis.
Figure 2-2
Section 2.1

   Centrioles: cytoplasmic bodies located in

centrosome
 – Found in animal and plant cells
 – Centrioles organize spindle fibers for movement of
chromosomes during meiosis and mitosis.
  Spindle fibers: composed of microtubules
consisting of polymers of protein tubulin
2.2 Chromosomes Exist in
Homologous Pairs in Diploid
Organisms
Section 2.2

 Chromosomes contain a constricted region called a

centromere.
 – Location of centromere gives general appearance of
chromosome (Figure 2-3).
 –  Metacentric, submetacentric, acrocentric, and
telocentric.
 – Chromosomes exist in homologous pairs in diploid
organisms (Figure 2-4).
Figure 2-3
Section 2.2

  Haploid number (n)
 – Half of diploid number: constitutes genome of
species (Table 2.1)
  Homologous chromosomes (one of each)
 – One chromosome of paternal origin (via the sperm)
and the other of maternal origin (via the egg)
   Karyotype
 –  Figure 2-4: human mitotic chromosomes
Table 2-1
Figure 2-4
Section 2.2

 Homologous chromosomes have identical gene

sites (locus).
   Allele: alternative forms of the same gene
  Sex-determining chromosomes are not
homologous.
 – Females are XX.
 – Males are XY.
 –  Figure 2-4
Section 2.2

  Somatic cells (body cells) are present as

homologous pairs.
 – Humans: 46 chromosomes (23 homologous pairs)
 – Represent diploid number 2n
 Exceptions
 – Many bacteria and viruses have one chromosome.
2.3 Mitosis Partitions Chromosomes
into Dividing Cells
Section 2.6 Meiosis in Plants and Fungi

 Meiosis plays a significant role in plant and fungi life

cycle.
 In fungi
 – Predominant stage of life cycle consists of haploid
vegetative cells; arise through meiosis and
proliferate through mitosis.
 In multicellular plants
 – Life cycles alternate between diploid sporophytic
stage and haploid (gametophyte stage).
 2.7 Electron Microscopy Has
Revealed the Physical Structure of
Mitotic and Meiotic Chromosomes
Section 2.7

 Electron microscopy revealed that

 – Dispersed chromatin fibers are present in nucleus
during interphase (Figure 2-12a)
 – Fibers coil, fold, and condense during mitosis
(Figure 2-12b)
 –  Chromatin is condensed to produce a mitotic
chromosome (Figure 2-12c)
Figure 2-12
Section 2.7 Folded-fiber Model

 Electron microscopic observations of metaphase

chromosomes led to folded-fiber model.
 –  Figure 2-12c
 Geneticists believe in the presence of 5000-fold
compaction in length of DNA within chromatin fiber.