UNIT IV: MITOSIS
Mitosis:
● Mitosis is a form of cell division
that results in the production
of two daughter cells, each
with the same chromosome
and genetic complement as
the parent cell.
Terms:
Karyokinesis:
● The process of nuclear
division.
Cytokinesis:
● The division of the cytoplasm
of a cell into two daughter
cells.
Cell Cycle:
● Constitutes the events that
occur from the completion of
one division until the
beginning of the next division.
Stages of Mitosis:
Interphase:
❖ Characterized by the absence
of visible chromosomes.
❖ The initial stage of the cell
cycle.
❖ DNA replication of each
chromosome occurs during
this stage.
❖ Sub-stages include:
➢ G1 (Gap1): A period where
no DNA synthesis occurs
before the S phase.
➢ S phase: A period where
DNA is synthesized.
➢ G2 (Gap2): A period
where no DNA synthesis
occurs after the S phase.
❖ This stage involves intensive
metabolic activity, cell growth,
and cell differentiation.
Prophase:
● Characterized by the
shortening and thickening of
chromosomes, making
individual chromosomes
distinct.
● Nuclear envelope
disintegrates.
● Nucleolus disappears.
● Centrioles (if present) duplicate
and migrate to opposite poles
of the cell.
● Spindle apparatus forms.
● As the stage progresses, each
chromosome consists of two
identical chromatids or sister
chromatids.
● Spindle fibers attach to the
individual chromosome at their
kinetochores.
Metaphase:
● Absence of the nuclear
membrane.
● Chromosomes become thicker
and shorter.
● Chromosomes align along the
metaphase plate, which is the
equatorial plane of the spindle.
● The alignment of
chromosomes on this plate
marks the end of metaphase.
Anaphase:
● Initiated by the separation of
sister chromatids.
● Chromosomes are pulled at
the centromere by the action
of spindle fibers.
● Continuous contraction of
spindle fibers causes each
chromosome to move toward
opposite poles.
● By late anaphase, spindle
fibers disappear.
● Different chromosome types
appear shaped as:
○ "V" (metacentric)
○ "J" (subtelocentric)
○ rod-shaped (telocentric).
Telophase:
● Often referred to as the
"reversal of prophase."
● The separated sister
chromatids, now fully-fledged
chromosomes, have been
pulled to opposite poles of the
cell.
● The cell reverses the steps of
prophase to return to the
active interphase state.
● Chromosomes uncoil and
begin to carry out their
physiological functions.
● A nuclear envelope reforms
around each set of
chromosomes, nucleoli form,
and cytokinesis takes place.