CELL DIVISION

MITOSIS AND MEIOSIS

for Science Grade 8

Quarter 4 / Week 2

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 FOREWORD

This Self Learning Kit complies with the learning

standards and competencies prescribed by the K-12
curriculum of the Department of Education. This SLK is
entitled: CELL DIVISION: MITOSIS AND MEIOSIS. The first part
of this module enables students to describe the various
stages of cell division and compare the processes
involved in mitosis and meiosis. The second part enables
students to understand how meiosis maintains
chromosome number in gamete formation.

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 LESSON
THE CELL CYCLE AND CELL DIVISION
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OBJECTIVES:
K: Describe the stages of cell division – mitosis and meiosis.
S: Compare the two types of cell division - mitosis from
meiosis.
A: Appreciate the role of cell division in growth and
reproduction of organisms.

LEARNING COMPETENCY:
Compare mitosis and meiosis, and their role in the cell -
division cycle (S8LT - IVd -16)

Figure 1: An Animal Cell

https://sites.google.com/site/travelingcells/_/rsrc/1483663889772/types-
of-cells/eukaryotic-cells/animal%20cell%20complex.png?

I.WHAT HAPPENED

https://grid.gograph.com/science-vector-illustration_gg74473529.jpg

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PRE-ACTIVITIES

I. Basic Cell Parts

DIRECTIONS: Draw and label the parts of the animal cell.
Identify the parts from the words present in the box below. Do this
in your notebook.

nucleus
cell membrane
mitochondrion
ribosomes
rough ER
golgi body
vesicles
chloroplast

II. The Structure of the Chromosome and Its Location in the Cell.
DIRECTIONS: Study the pictures of chromosomes below and
answer the questions that follow. Write the answers in your
notebook

Figure 2: Chromosomes and its Parts Figure 3: Organization of chromosome.

https://i.pinimg.com/474x/6b/8d/bc/6b8dbcf1b9840abb81619b https://d10lpgp6xz60nq.cloudfront.net/physics_images/NVT_21_SCI_TECH_P2_X_
553d7e34ac.jpg C14_E02_001_S01.png

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 1. What are chromosomes? _________________________________
2. Where are the chromosomes located in the cell?___________
3. The short arm of the chromosome is referred to as _________.
4. The long arm of the chromosome is referred to as _________.
5. The point of attachment of the two sister chromatids is called
________________.

II. WHAT I NEED TO KNOW

Let’s give attention to the

different stages of cell division-
mitosis and meiosis ! But before
that, lets get to know more about
the chromosome.

https://img.favpng.com/18/19/1/student-reading-black-and-white-clip-art-png-favpng-
kRDy6wBkGDkw8VEAR9WGQxt42_t.jpg

The Chromosome
All living things contain what we call the genetic material that serves as
the set of instructions that direct the activities and functions of the cells.
These genetic materials, also known as the deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA,
are passed on from one generation to the next to ensure the continuity of life.
In eukaryotic cells (cells with organelles), the DNA are bound with proteins
(histones) and are organized as beads on strings to form chromosomes. The
number of chromosomes in a cell is characteristic of the species to which it
belongs. For example, humans have 46 chromosomes while rice have 12.

https://qph.fs.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-e5fed8f3689dae074c9a0e99c0ae71fc

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The Cell Cycle
The chromosomes of a cell change form as the cell transitions from one
stage to another in a typical cell cycle. The cell cycle may be divided into
two stages: the interphase where the chromosomes are long and extended
and are also referred to as chromatin, and the cell division phase where the
chromosomes become condensed or thickened.

Figure 5: The Cell Cycle: https://cdn.kastatic.org/googleusercontent/XYTSAW8am4--0QddrEVtC6qA4GjdWNC7-

1p9aHha0qLGjrXP83fHHGLDr6h1uERgVsbHS3mZsL8LZg8cvhhP0fmS

The interphase refers to the period that follows one cell division and precedes
another. This stage is divided into three substages. The first gap period or G 1,
during which time the cell grows initially. The middle stage is called the
synthesis stage or S1 is the period of DNA synthesis or replication where
chromosomes are duplicated. The second gap period or G 2 represents a
period of rapid cell growth to prepare for cell division.

Cell Division

Alternating with the interphase is the cell division phase. In eukaryotic cells,
there are two types of cell division: mitosis and meiosis.

1. Mitosis

This type of cell division occur in somatic or body cells which produces two
identical cells with the same number of chromosomes. Mitosis is divided into
four stages as shown in the diagram below:

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 Prophase
The first and longest phase of mitosis
is prophase. During prophase,
chromatin condenses
into chromosomes or double
stranded sister chromatids, and the
nuclear envelope, or membrane,
breaks down. In animal cells,
the centrioles near
the nucleus begin to separate and
move to opposite poles (sides) of
the cell. As the centrioles move,
a spindle starts to form between
them.

Figure 6: Stages of Mitosis Illustrated by: Anziel Corsame

Metaphase
During metaphase, spindle fibers attach to the centromere of each pair of
sister chromatids. The sister chromatids line up at the equator, or center, of
the cell. This is also known as the metaphase plate. The spindle fibers ensure
that sister chromatids will separate and go to different daughter cells when
the cell divides.

Anaphase
During anaphase, sister chromatids separate and the centromeres divide.
The sister chromatids are pulled apart by the shortening of the spindle fibers.
This is like reeling in a fish by shortening the fishing line. One sister chromatid
moves to one pole of the cell, and the other sister chromatid moves to the
opposite pole. At the end of anaphase, each pole of the cell has a
complete set of chromosomes.

Telophase
During telophase, the chromosomes begin to uncoil and form chromatin. This
prepares the genetic material for directing the metabolic activities of the
new cells. The spindle also breaks down, and new nuclear membranes
(nuclear envelope) form eventually dividing the cytoplasm to form two
daughter cells in the process called cytokinesis.

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2. Meiosis
Meiosis is a special type of cell division where a sex cell (egg cell
or sperm cell) or gamete undergoes two rounds of cell division to produce
four daughter cells (meiosis I and meiosis II), each with half the chromosome
number as the original parent cell with a unique set of genetic materials as a
result of exchange of chromosome segments.

Meiosis I is consist of four stages:

Prophase I
The chromosomes in this phase
begin to pair off as
homologous or exact pair. The
chromosome contract due to
repeated coiling. Crossing-over
takes place during this stage
when a segment of a sister
chromatid of one chromosome
is exchanged with the same
segment of the sister chromatid
of the homologous
chromosome through the
formation of a cross-linkage of
segments during the process of
crossing over as shown in the
diagram below.
Figure 7: Stages of Meiosis Illustrated by: Anziel Corsame

After crossing-over, the sister chromatids of

each chromosome may no longer be identical with each other based on the
genetic material they contain.

Figure 8: The cross-section of Sister Chromatids https://media.cheggcdn.com/study/dbd/dbd4ada5-0758-41bd-a444-f9c9fa580379/DC-81V1.png

Metaphase I

The paired chromosomes arranged themselves in the equatorial plate.

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Anaphase I

Spindle fibers form and attach to the centromeres of the chromosomes. The
homologous chromosomes separate from each other completely and start
their movement towards the poles of the cells as they are pulled by the
spindle fibers. As the centromere of each chromosome does not divide, the
sister chromatids remain together.

Telophase I

This is the stage when the chromosomes reach their respective poles.
Cytokinesis follows and two daughter cells are formed. Each cell now has half
the chromosome number because only one chromosome from each pair
goes to the daughter cell. This is called the haploid condition, in contrast to
the diploid condition at the beginning of meiosis I where each chromosome
pair is intact. Telophase is followed by interphase II.

Note that each chromosome still has two sister chromatids; it is therefore
necessary for the cells to undergo another round of cell division.

The second meiotic division, also known as meiosis II, is mitotic in nature and
consist of the following stages: prophase II, metaphase II, anaphase II and
telophase II; these stages are identical with mitotic stages. The results are four
cells, two from each daughter cell from meiosis I, with one half the diploid
chromosome number and with only one sister chromatid for each
chromosome.

Let’s Apply!
DIRECTIONS: Complete the table below. (Copy and answer in your
notebook)
Mitosis Meiosis

Number of daughter cells

produced.

Number of chromosomes is halved.

(Yes/No)

Pairing of homologous
chromosomes take place.
(Yes/No)

The daughter cells produced are

always identical in terms of genetic
material. (Yes/No)

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III. WHAT I HAVE LEARNED
POST-TEST
MULTIPLE CHOICE
DIRECTIONS: . Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your answers in
your notebook.

1. Which of the following parts of the cell contains the chromosomes?

A. Cytoplasm B. mitochondrion C. Cell membrane D. Nucleus
2. Chromosomes are made up of ____________________.
A. RNA and protein B. DNA and protein C. protein only D. DNA only
3. Why is there a need for DNA to replicate during the synthesis stage of the
interphase?
A. To make sure that the cell undergo cell division
B. To make sure that when cell divides each daughter cell has an exact
copy of the DNA.
C. To make sure that the number of chromosomes would be exactly the
same as in original cells.
D. To make sure that the cell grow rapidly.
4. What events take place when the cell undergo cytokinesis?
A. There is the growth of nucleus.
B. It is a period of replication.
C. There is division of the cytoplasm
D. There is the reappearance of the nuclear membrane.
5. The following characteristics below describe meiosis EXCEPT
A. There are four daughter cells produced.
B. The number of chromosomes in every daughter cell is haploid.
C. The daughter cells are genetically identical with the original cell.
D. The cell undergo two rounds of cell divisions.

DIRECTIONS: For Numbers 6-10, Complete the table below. Copy and answer
in your notebook.
Given: Parent Cell has 4 chromosomes
Questions Mitosis Meiosis
During Interphase
how many
chromosomes are 4 6.)________
there?
How many daughter
cells are produced?
7.)______ 8.)________
How many
chromosomes are
there in each 9.)______ 10)________
daughter cell?

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SYNOPSIS:
This Self Learning Kit is made for
10. 2 C 5.
9. 4 C 4.
Science Grade 8 students in order 8. 4
7. 2
B
B
3.
2.
for them to understand the process 6. 4 D 1.

of cell division and its importance in

II. I
Post-test:
the growth and reproduction of
organisms. This will also enable
centromere 5.
q arm 4.
them to compare the two types of p arm
Nucleus
3.
2.
cell division – mitosis and meiosis. Answers may vary 1.
II
Vesicles 7.
Nucleus 6.
Ribosomes 5.
Golgi body 4.
Rough ER 3.
Cell membrane 2.
Mitochondrion 1.
I
Pre-Activities:

ANSWER KEY:

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 LESSON

2 HOW MEIOSIS MAINTAIN CHROMOSOME NUMBER IN ORGANISMS

OBJECTIVES:
K: Describe the role of meiosis in gametogenesis.
S: Explain how meiosis maintain chromosome number in
organisms.
A: Understand the consequences when something goes
wrong with meiosis.

LEARNING COMPETENCY:
Explain the significance of meiosis in maintaining the
chromosome number . ( S8LT - IVe -17)

I. WHAT HAPPENED

https://www.pinclipart.com/picdir/middle/128-1280710_childs-naive-drawing-of-a-boy-and-girl.png

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PRE-ACTIVITIES

MULTIPLE CHOICE
DIRECTIONS: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your answers
in your notebook.
1. What type of cells undergo meiosis?
A. body cells C. nerve cells
B. reproductive cells D. epidermal cells

2. Humans have 46 chromosomes, 23 of which comes from the father and

23 from the mother. The number of chromosomes of a human being is
said to be
A. haploid C. tripled
B. diploid D. quadrupled

3. Meiosis is a special type of cell division where the cell undergoes two
rounds of cell division to produce four daughter cells each with half the
chromosome number as the original parent cell. This condition of the
chromosome is
A. Diploid C. homologous
B. Haploid D. identical

4. The sperm cells and the egg cells are reproductive cells of animals
which are also known as
A. spores C. pollen
B. gametes D. ovum

5. Meiosis reduces the chromosome number in half forming gametes in

plants and animal in the process called
A. Photosynthesis C. Gametogenesis
B. Respiration D. Fertilization

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II. WHAT I NEED TO KNOW
DISCUSSION

Cell division has two types – meiosis and mitosis. Meiosis is the process
wherein the parent cell divides two times to form four daughter cells
comprising half the actual amount of genetic content. Hence the
daughter cells are haploid. It is through meiosis that gametes are
produced.

The Role of Meiosis in Gametogenesis

The number of chromosomes normally remains the same within the
species. It does not double or triple for every generation, This means that a
different kind of cell division must take place in an individual that reduces the
number of chromosomes into half. That is what we call as meiosis which takes
place in plants and animals whenever gametes or sex cells are formed
through the process called gametogenesis.
Gametes such as eggs and sperms unite during fertilization, forming a
diploid zygote. The zygote has one set of chromosomes from the male parent
and another set from the female parent. In humans, both father and mother
contribute 23 chromosomes each through their gametes. Thus, the zygote
has 46 chromosomes. The zygote divides many times which produces a new
diploid multicellular organism.
Sperm cells are produced in the testes of male animals. Meiosis
produces four cells which are very small but of similar size. This cells becomes
spermatozoa (singular form is spermatozoon) or sperms. The nucleus is found
in the head of the sperm, mitochondria are found at the midpiece that
connects the head to the tail. These mitochondria provide the energy for the
movement of the sperm’s tail.
In female animals, egg cells are produced in the ovary. When a cell in
the ovary undergoes meiosis, new cells which differ in size are produced.
After meiosis I, two types of cells- one big and one small are produced. The
big cell becomes the egg and the small cells disintegrate. The egg cell
contains a lot of stored food which is used by the growing embryo at the
start of its development. In fertilization, the tiny sperm cell only contributes its
genetic material found in the head.
The diagram below shows how gametogenesis in animals occurs in the
testis of a male and in the ovary of a female. Four sperm cells are produced
during sperm cell formation as compared to only one egg cell produced in

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egg cell formation. This explains why there are more sperm cells than egg
cells in the reproductive system of males and females respectively.

Figure 9: Gametogenesis in the testes and ovary of animals

Meiosis may not always proceed normally. Accidents sometimes

happen. These accidents may affect the functioning of the spindle fibers or
the movement of one or more chromosomes. In humans, some accidents
may have known to cause abnormal conditions like Down’s syndrome and
Cri du chat syndrome.

Let’s Apply!
DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions in your notebook.
1. What do you think will happen if the number of chromosomes during
the process of meiosis or gametogenesis is not reduced to half?

2. Read from any biology book or from the internet about Down’s
syndrome and Cri du chat syndrome and describe each condition
briefly.

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 III. WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

POST-TEST
I. DIRECTIONS: Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the correct
answer. Write your answers in your notebook.
1. One of these events does not take place during meiosis
A. One successive division without any DNA replication
B. Chiasmata formation and crossing over
C. Segregation of homologous chromosomes
D. Separation of sister chromatids

2. The meiotic division takes place in

A. Meristematic cells
B. Conductive cells
C. Reproductive cells
D. Vegetative cells

3. The reason for daughter cells to differ from parent cells in meiosis is;
A. Crossing-over
B. Deletion
C. Replication
D. Addition

4 Meiosis is a special type of cell division where the cell undergoes two
rounds of cell division to produce four daughter cells each with half the
chromosome number as the original parent cell. This condition of the
chromosome is
A. Diploid C. Homologous
B. Haploid D. Identical

5 The sperm cells and the egg cells are reproductive cells of animals
which are also known as
A. spores C. pollen
B. gametes D. ovum

II. DIRECTION: Illustrate the following in your notebook.

Draw a cell having 6 chromosomes that undergoes meiosis.

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REFERENCES:
• Science Grade 8 Learner’s Material, Unit 4, Module 5 pp. 317-

329.

• Science and Technology Biology Textbook. SEDIP II, Unit 5 pp.

124-134.

• Capco, Carmelita and Gilbert C. Yong, et al. You and the

Natural World Science and Technology Series, BIOLOGY.

Phoenix Press, Inc. 1997, pp. 216-220.

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 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF NEGROS ORIENTAL

SENEN PRISCILLO P. PAULIN, CESO V

Schools Division Superintendent

FAY C. LUAREZ, TM, Ed.D., Ph.D.

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
Acting CID Chief

NILITA L. RAGAY, Ed.D.

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

ROSELA R. ABIERA
Education Program Supervisor – (LRMS)

ARNOLD R. JUNGCO
PSDS - Division Science Coordinator

MARICEL S. RASID
Librarian II (LRMDS)

ELMAR L. CABRERA
PDO II (LRMDS)

MARIBEL D. INAO
Writer

RAFAEL REX B. FELISILDA

KEENJI L. ARMENTANO
Layout Artists
_________________________________
ALPHA QA TEAM
MA. ALETTA AARONA R. GAJELOMO
JUSTIN PAUL ARSENIO C. KINAMOT
MIEL C. PACULANANG
PETER PAUL A. PATRON

BETA QA TEAM
LIEZEL A. AGOR
JOAN Y. BUBULI
LIELIN A. DE LA CERNA
PETER PAUL A. PATRON
THOMAS JOGIE U. TOLEDO
DISCLAIMER

The information, activities and assessments used in this material are designed to provide accessible learning
modality to the teachers and learners of the Division of Negros Oriental. The contents of this module are carefully
researched, chosen, and evaluated to comply with the set learning competencies. The writers and evaluator were clearly
instructed to give credits to information and illustrations used to substantiate this material. All content is subject to copyright
and may not be reproduced in any form without expressed written consent from the division.

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 SYNOPSIS:
This Self Learning Kit is
made for Grade 8 students
in the Science 8 in order for
them to understand how
II. Answers may vary

the process of meiosis

5. B
4. B
maintain the chromosome 3. A
2. C
number in organisms and 1. A

appreciate the role of

I.
Post-test:

meiosis in gametogenesis. II. Answers may vary

This will also allow them to 5. C
realize that some life 4. B

processes like meiosis are

3. B
2. B

not perfect that sometimes

1. B
I.
accidents happen leading Pre-test:

to unusual conditions. ANSWER KEY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MARIBEL DELA CRUZ INAO, is a Teacher III at Negros Oriental

High School teaching Science 8 from 2012 to present. She
graduated BS Biology at Silliman University and has earned
Complete Academic Requirements for MA in Science
Teaching at Negros Oriental State University.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

ANZIELI INAO CORSAME, is a Grade 12 student of Negros

Oriental High School taking up Arts ad Design. She finished
her Junior High School also at NOHS under the Special
Program for the Arts. She is very talented in the field of visual
arts having produced several exemplary artworks.

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