• CELL DIVISION

Ø Function: To produce more cells for growth and repair

processes
Ø Cell Life Cycle – is the series of changes a cell goes through
from the time it is formed until it divides
• Two major periods:
• 1. Interphase – where cell grows and carries on its usual metabolic
activities
• 2. Cell division – reproduces itself

Ø Preparations: DNA replication

Ø DNA – deoxyribonucleic acid
Ø The genetic material (DNA molecules) are duplicated exactly
Ø DNA is a complex molecules composed of building blocks
called nucleotides
Ø Each nucleotide consists of deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate
group and a nitrogen-containing base: A,T,G,C
Ø DNA is a double helix, a ladder-like molecule that is coiled into
spiral staircase shape
• CELL DIVISION: 2 Events
• 1. Mitosis – division of nucleus
• 2. Cytokinesis – division of the cytoplasm

• Mitosis
Ø Formation of two daughter nuclei with exactly the same genes
as the mother nucleus
Ø Each daughter cell ends up with the same genetic information
as the original mother cell
• Stages:
• 1. Prophase
• 2. Metaphase
• 3. Anaphase
• 4. Telophase
• Prophase
Ø Chromatin threads coil and shorten and visible bar-like bodies
appear called chromosomes
Ø The chromosomes has 2 chromatids held together by a
button-like body, the centromere
Ø Centrioles separate and move to opposite side of the cell
Ø Presence of mitotic spindle
• Metaphase

Ø The chromosomes cluster and line up at metaphase

plate
• Anaphase
Ø The centromeres split
• Telophase
Ø Essentially a prophase in reverse
Ø Chromosomes at the opposite ends uncoil to
become threadlike chromatin again
• Cytokinesis
Ø Division of cytoplasm
Ø Begins during the late anaphase and completes during the
telophase
Ø A cleavage furrow appears that squeezes or pinches the
original cytoplasm into two parts, the 2 daughter cells