GROWTH AND DIVISION OF CELLS
THE CELL CYCLE
Cells reproduce by a process known as cell
division, in whichthe contents of a cell are
divided between two daughter cells.
*Plants grow through cell division together
with cell enlargement.
Mitosis –the division of the nucleus
Cytokinesis –the division of the cytoplasm
*Two events associated with the
reproduction of eukaryotic cells.
Phases of Mitosis
Interphase. A period of replication of
cytoplasmic organelles, followed by a
period when chromosomes (a) are
duplicated, then a period when spindle
fibers (bundles of microtubules) are made.
Prophase. At the first stage of mitosis, the
chromosomes (a) become visible as long
threads. For clarification only 3
chromosomes are shown. On each strand is
a small body called a centromere (f). Then
the chromosomes start to shorten and
thicken and divide into 2 helical coiled
strands called chromatids (g). DNA is
replicated half to each chromatid.
Metaphase is marked by the appearance of
the spindle (h). It is at this time that the
chromosomes migrate to the spindle and
the centromeres (f) align in a flat equatorial
plane. The pairs of chromatids (g) are held
together at the centromeres (f).
Anaphase is initiated with division and
separation of the centromere, providing
each chromatid with centromere (f). This
phase ends with the chromatids, which are
now called chromosomes, moving to
opposite poles (i) of the spindle (h).
Telophase. This phase begins with the
chromosomes
(a) completing their movement to the
poles. It ends with
the chromosomes once more becoming
diffuse, as in
Interphase. A new nuclear membrane (c)
forms around
each group of chromosomes (a) and
nucleoli (b) reappear. During interphase, a
new cell wall (e) forms between the nuclei.
Important notes:
•Mitosis is generally followed by
cytokinesis, the divisionof the cytoplasm.
•The cytoplasm is divided by a cell plate
that begins to form during mitotic
telophase.
•The developing cell plate arises from
fusing Golgi vesicles guided to the division
plane by microtubules and actin filaments
of the phragmoplast, an initially barrel-
shaped system of microtubules that forms
between the two daughter nuclei in early
telophase.