Lesson - Cell Division - Differentiation

3/8/22, 7:12 PM Lesson - Cell Division & Differentiation - Study Island
Cell Division & Differentiation
The Cell Cycle

All new cells come from pre-existing cells. The cell cycle refers to the
series of processes involved in the growth, development, and
reproduction of a typical eukaryotic cell.
Cell Division
Most of the cells found in living things are able to reproduce by dividing to form new cells
that are identical or genetically similar to themselves.
Cell division is triggered as cells become too large to efficiently import nutrients and export
wastes across their cell membrane. This occurs because as a cell grows larger, its volume
grows more rapidly than its surface area.
As cells continue to divide, they will proliferate to fill whatever medium they are in. Once
the cells have spread so much that two cells contact each other, they can signal to each
other to stop dividing through a process called inhibition.
Cellular reproduction in multicellular organisms occurs primarily through the process of

mitosis. The purpose of mitosis is to form new somatic cells. Somatic cells are those cells
that form the body of an organism.
Interphase, Mitosis & the Cell Cycle

The two main phases of the cell cycle are interphase and M phase. Most of a cell's life is
spent in interphase. This stage includes all normal cellular functions associated with
metabolism and growth. Chromosomes are also duplicated during part of interphase (S
phase), but cell division occurs later.
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M phase includes mitosis. During mitosis, the nucleus of a cell divides into two daughter
nuclei that each contain the same number of chromosomes as the parent nucleus.
Following mitosis, the two nuclei are separated into two identical daughter cells during
cytokinesis. During cytokinesis, the cytoplasm divides, and two new cells are formed.
The plasma membrane of cells that lack a cell wall (e.g., animal cells) form a cleavage
furrow that pinches inward to form two new cells.
In cells that have a cell wall (e.g., plant cells), a cell plate forms between the two new
cells.
Cell Division
During the processes of mitosis and cytokinesis, cells divide to form two
daughter cells that are identical to the parent cell and to each other.
Overview
Cell division is triggered when cells become too large to efficiently import nutrients and
export wastes across their cell membrane. This occurs because as a cell grows larger, its
volume grows more rapidly than its surface area. As cells continue to divide, they will
proliferate to fill whatever medium they are in. Once the cells detect that a space has
become crowded, they can signal to each other to stop dividing through a process called
inhibition.
Cell division in multicellular organisms occurs primarily through the process of mitosis.
The purpose of mitosis is to form new somatic cells. Somatic cells, as opposed to sex cells
like eggs and sperm, are those cells that form the body of an organism.
Following the completion of mitosis, the entire cell divides through a process called
cytokinesis. This produces two genetically identical daughter cells.
Step by Step
The major events that occur during mitotic cell division are described below.

Interphase
Interphase occurs before mitosis. A cell spends about
90 percent of its lifespan in interphase. During interphase, the
cell grows and will eventually duplicate its genetic material in
preparation for mitosis.
Mitosis Begins

Prophase
During prophase, the genetic material (chromatin) of the cell
condenses into rod-like structures called chromosomes.
Because the cell contains double its normal amount of genetic
material, each chromosome is comprised of two sister
chromatids bound by a centromere. The nuclear membrane
disappears.
Metaphase
During metaphase, microtubules at both ends of the cell attach
to the centromere of each chromosome. The chromosomes
are pulled in opposite directions at once, causing them to line-
up along the equator of the cell.
Anaphase
Once all chromosomes arrive at the equator of the cell, the
centromere of each chromosome is cleaved. The sister
chromatids, now separate chromosomes, are pulled to
opposite sides of the cell.
Telophase
During telophase, a new nuclear membrane forms around
each set of chromosomes. Both sets of chromosomes begin to
decondense back into chromatin.
Mitosis Ends

Cytokinesis
After mitosis, cytokinesis takes place. During cytokinesis, the
cytoplasm and organelles are divided between the two
daughter cells. In cells that lack a cell wall, the cell pinches in
two. In cells that have a cell wall, a cell plate forms between
the two new cells.
The following video describes the processes involved in mitosis. Click on the play button
to watch the video.
Clip provided by Education Clip Library with permission from ITN Source
Cell Differentiation
Differentiation is the process by which cells become more specialized in
structure and function. Differentiation only occurs in the cells of
multicellular organisms.
Cell Division & Differentiation

In sexually-reproducing organisms, such as humans, new organisms are formed when a
sperm cell unites with an egg cell during fertilization. The fertilized egg, or zygote, then
undergoes several cycles of cell division, or mitosis, until a large ball of identical cells is
produced. These undifferentiated cells are known as stem cells. Stems cells have the
potential to transform into a wide variety of specialized cell types.
Eventually, the large ball of identical cells undergoes cell differentiation. During this
process, cells become specialized in structure and function so they can be further
organized into tissues, organs, and organ systems.
Cell division is an example of cellular growth, and cell differentiation is an example of
cellular development.
Differentiation & Specialization

Although these early cells divide mitotically, the total size of the organism does not change
in the early stages. During this time, there is no cell growth between divisions. Instead, the
ball of cells simply divides to create many smaller cells.
In addition to increasing in number, cells of a developing organism become increasingly

more specialized.
As the embryo develops, it goes through several developmental stages. At the gastrula
stage, two cavities form in the zygote, and three different types of cells can be observed
there— the ectoderm, the mesoderm, and the endoderm.
These three types of cells form the primary germ layers. The cells in these three layers
later differentiate further into the highly specialized types of cells that make up a complete
organism—muscle, nerve, blood, bone, and skin cells.
Ectoderm—cells differentiate to form the skin and nervous system of the organism.
Endoderm—cells eventually become the organism's digestive tract lining.
Mesoderm—cells become the organism's muscles, blood, and reproductive organs.
Cell specialization in the human body is usually due to different cells within the human
body exhibiting different patterns of gene expression. Gene expression is the process
during which DNA is made into a functional gene product, such as a protein or RNA. Cells
can regulate gene expression to control the amount and timing of the synthesis of
functional gene products in order to change the shape, structure, and function of the cell.
Factors Affecting Differentiation

Several factors, including temperature and the presence of certain biochemical
substances, may affect the differentiation of cells and the development of the organism.
Temperature
The temperature of certain species environments can play a role in the differentiation of a
developing organism's cells.
For example, the gender of sea turtle offspring is influenced by the sand temperature
during incubation. When the sand is below 29 degrees, more males are produced. When
the sand temperature is above 29 degrees, more females are produced.
Biochemical Factors
Chemicals called inducers are secreted by cells of a developing embryo. Inducers cause
cells to differentiate.
By influencing which portion of a cell's genes are expressed, inducers cause cells to
differentiate into various different types of cells. This process is called embryonic
induction.
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3/8/22, 7:12 PM Lesson - Cell Division & Differentiation - Study Island

Cell Division & Differentiation

The Cell Cycle

Cellular reproduction in multicellular organisms occurs primarily through the process of

Interphase, Mitosis & the Cell Cycle

Cell Division & Differentiation

Differentiation & Specialization

In addition to increasing in number, cells of a developing organism become increasingly

Endoderm—cells eventually become the organism's digestive tract lining.

Mesoderm—cells become the organism's muscles, blood, and reproductive organs.

Factors Affecting Differentiation

© 2022 Edmentum - All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy

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