WEEK 4 Hand Out

TOPIC 2. CELL CYCLE

What is cell cycle?

The cell cycle consists of sequential phases of events
wherein the parent cell divides and replicates DNA materials
to produce two daughter cells

Why do cells have to undergo Cell Cycle Processes?

 For growth
 For repair and healing of damaged of tissues
 For replication of genetic materials
 For reproduction of species

The Cell Cycle

Cell division is just one of several stages that a cell
goes through during its lifetime. The cell cycle is a repeating
series of events, including growth, DNA synthesis, and cell
division. The cell cycle in prokaryotes is quite simple: the cell grows, its DNA replicates, and the cell divides. In
eukaryotes, the cell cycle is more complicated.
Eukaryotic Cell Cycle
The diagram in the figure below represents the cell cycle of a eukaryotic cell. As you can see, the eukaryotic cell
cycle has several phases. The mitosis phase (M) actually includes both mitosis and cytokinesis. This is when the nucleus
and then the cytoplasm divide. The other three phases (G1, S, and G2) are generally grouped together as interphase.
During interphase, the cell grows, performs routine life processes, and prepares to divide. These phases are discussed
below.

CELL DIVISION
Most cells of the human body undergo cell division which is the process by which cells reproduce themselves. To
understand this concept, understand the two types of human cell division.

Two types of cell division

1. Somatic cell division or mitosis- A somatic cell is any cell of the body other than a germ cell. A germ cell is a gamete
(sperm or oocyte) or any precursor cell destined to become a gamete. In somatic cell division, a cell undergoes a nuclear
division called and a cytoplasmic division called cytokinesis to produce two genetically identical cells, each with the same
number and kind of chromosomes as the original cell.

Somatic cell division replaces dead or injured cells and adds new ones during tissue growth.
The cell cycle consists of two major periods:

A. Interphase - when a cell is not dividing, longest phase in the life of a cell.
Three phases: G1, S, and G2
 G1 phase - is the interval between the mitotic phase and the S phase. During G1, the cell is metabolically active;
it replicates most of its organelles and cytosolic components but not its DNA. Replication of centrosomes also
begins in the G1 phase.
 G0 phase- Cells that remain in G1for a very long time, perhaps destined never to divide again, are said to be in
the interval betweenG1andG2, lasts about 8hours.

 During the S phase, DNA replication occurs. As a result of DNA replication, the two identical cells formed during
cell division later in the cell cycle will have the same genetic material. S- Stands for synthesis of DNA.
  G2 phase- is the interval between the S phase and the mitotic phase. It lasts 4 to 6 hours. During G 2, cell growth
continues, enzymes and other proteins are synthesized in preparation for cell division, and replication of
centrosomes is completed. When DNA replicates during the S phase, its helical structure partially uncoils, and
the two strands separate at the points where hydrogen bonds connect base pairs.

B. Mitotic (M) phase- when a cell is dividing

The mitotic (M) phase of the cell cycle, which results in the formation of two identical cells, consists of a nuclear division
(mitosis) and a cytoplasmic division (cytokinesis) to form two identical cells.

Four stages: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase (PMAT)

1. Prophase - During early prophase, the chromatin fibers condense and shorten into chromosomes.
2. Metaphase - During metaphase, the microtubules of the mitotic spindle align the centromeres of the chromatid pairs
at the exact center of the mitotic spindle.
3. Anaphase - During anaphase, the centromeres split, separating the two members of each chromatid pair, which move
toward opposite poles of the cell.
4.Telophase-The final stage of mitosis, telophase, begins after chromosomal movement stops. To further understand
the cell cycle here is the illustration.

PROPHASE METAPHASE EARLY ANAPHASE LATE ANAPHASE TELOPHASE

2. Reproductive cell division or meiosis- It is the mechanism that produces gametes, the cells needed to form the next
generation of sexually reproducing organisms. This process consists of a special two-step division called meiosis, in
which the number of chromosomes in the nucleus is reduced by half. See the diagram that illustrates each steps of
MEIOSIS cell division.

MEIOSIS I - DNA has been replicated or copied in the germ cell.

- focused on the division of homologous chromosomes to produce two haploid cells with duplicated
chromosomes
STAGES OF MEIOSIS I
1. PROPHASE I
- nuclear envelop breaks down
- spindle fibers begin to assemble
- duplicated chromosomes condense while the homologous chromosome pair ( TETRAD ) and line up by gene
precisely in its entire length plus crossing over at a point called CHIASMA so genes are traded ( mixing of genes )
2. METAPHASE I
- the pairs of homologous chromosomes are randomly moved by the spindle fiber to the equator of the cell
- important as this arrangement mixes the chromosomes helping to create genetic diversity and variation
3. ANAPHASE I
- homologous chromosomes separate from each other, chromosomes of each pair are pulled to the opposite ends of
the cell by the action of spindle fibers.
* Sister chromatids remain together and do not separate at their centromeres throughout meiosis 1. Genetic material
however recombines.
4. TELOPHASE I
- the individual chromosomes that have been pulled in opposite directions now gather at each pole, both poles
contain one chromosome from each pair of the homologous chromosomes.
- reappearance of the nuclear membrane and disassembly of spindle fibers.
- cytoplasm divides through cytokinesis
MEIOSIS II – sister chromatids are divided resulting in sex cells with only one half of the chromosome
STAGES OF MEIOSIS II
1. PROPHASE II
- new spindle fiber form around the chromosome
- the nuclear envelope breaks down
2. METAPHASE II
- chromosomes line up along the equator through the spindle fiber
* each chromosome has sister chromatids still attached to the spindle fiber
3. ANAPHASE II
- centromeres divide and sister chromatids are individually pulled apart, then move to the opposite poles of the cell
4. TELOPHASE II
- nuclear envelope forms around each set of chromosomes at opposite ends of the cell
- spindle fiber breaks down and the cell undergoes cytokinesis; resulting to four haploid cells with a recombination of
chromosomes both from the mother and father