Chapter 6 – Cell division

Section 1: chromosomes and their behaviour

In cell all chromosomes needed, not undergoing cell division  chromosomes not visible=
coiled before= chromatin, some uncoiled before protein synthesis
Before cell divide DNA replicates + associate new histone proteins, both attached to
centromere  coils/supercoils, chromosome 2 sister chromatids
Section 2: chromosome number
Most plants/animals have homologous pairs of chromosomes both similar sizes, these
organisms/cells are diploid (2n), one chromosome from mother other from father (maternal
& paternal), other cells with 1 type chromosome= haploid (n), haploid cells formed by
meiosis
Section 3: the cell cycle
Cells divide by mitosis, some specialise some stop dividing while others keep dividing, the
sequence of events which take place in cell between formation and time it has divided- cell
cycle, length time differs: cells near intestine 8-10 hours, liver maybe once a year
Stages of cell cycle:
Section