Cell

Division
TERMINOLOGY
• Daughter cells: New cells formed from existing cells by cell
division.

• Cell cycle: Series of processes that take place in a cell

between one cell division and the next.

• Replication: When DNA molecules in the cell nucleus make

copies of themselves.

• Duplication: When copies of chromosomes are formed.

• Mitosis: Division of the cell nucleus.

• Cytokinesis: Division of the cell cytoplasm.

• Interphase: Periods between cell division during which

the cell grows and prepares to divide.

• Chromatids: Identical strands of a chromosome

produced through the replication of the genetic
material.
• Centromere: Structure that joins chromatids together.

• Centrioles: Structures found in animal cells that play a

role in the formations of the spindle during mitosis.

• Somatic cells: All body cells, except sex cells (gametes)

• Cancer: Abnormal and uncontrolled cell division in the

body.
• Tumour: A mass that develops when cells divide very
rapidly in an uncontrolled way, may be associated with
cancer.

• Malignant: When a tumour is harmful.

• Benign: When a tumour is not harmful.

• Carcinogenic: A substance that causes cancer.

How do new cells form?
• When existing cells DIVIDE.
• TWO NEW cells are formed from each parent cell.
• New cells are called DAUGHTER CELLS.
• Daughter cells are IDENTICAL to the original parents cell.
Importance:
• Growth of organisms – increase in number of
cells.
• Repair damaged cells – dead cells replaced by
new cells.
• Reproduction of single-celled organisms –
asexual reproduction.
The Cell Cycle
A series of processes that takes place in a cell
between one cell division and the next.
• Cells grow and mature
• Start preparing for cell division

FOUR main stages:

G1: Growth of cell and production of new
materials
S: Replication of DNA and duplication of
chromosomes
G2: Final growth and preparations for cell division.
M: Mitosis and cytokinesis – division of nucleus
and cytoplasm.
Interphase
The cell spend most of it’s time growing and
preparing for cell division.

Interphase consists of the following stages

of the cell cycle:
G1: Growth of cell and production of new
materials
S: Replication of DNA and duplication of
chromosomes (46 → 92)
G2: Final growth and preparations for cell
division.
Chromosomes
• Found in cell nucleus
• Contains information that controls processes in the cell
Genes:
• Functional units of DNA
• Carries hereditary information

Structure:
Interphase:
• Group of thin tangled threads in chromatin network
Mitosis:
• Consist of two identical strands – chromatids
• Chromatids are joined by a centromere
Mitosis
Takes place in somatic cells (body cells) only.
Nerve cells & Red blood cells never divide.

At the end of Interphase the cell nucleus and cytoplasm are ready to
divide.

FOUR phases (stages) NB!

1. Prophase
2. Metaphase
3. Anaphase
4. Telophase
Prophase
• Chromatin network condenses
• Replicated chromosomes (two sister chromatids) become
visible
• Nuclear membrane starts to disappear
• Centrioles move to opposite poles
• Spindle fibres develop
Metaphase
• Replicated chromosomes line up on equator
• Chromosomes attach to spindle fibres
Anaphase
• Spindle fibres contract
• Centromere splits
• Chromatids move to opposite ends/poles
Telophase
• Nuclear membrane starts to form & Spindle fibres break down
• Chromosomes unwind & become long threads
• Constriction/cleavage forms – cell divides in two.
• TWO daughter cells form (identical to parent cell)
• Chromosomes equal in daughter and parent cell.
Mitosis in Plant cells
Takes place in the same way as animal cells but there are two
differences:

• No centrioles: Spindle fibres form from cytoplasm.

• During telophase a cell plate forms to separate the two new daughter
cells.
Cancer
• Abnormal and uncontrolled cell division in the body
• Cell cycle goes wrong and forms a mass – Tumour (Cancerous or non-cancerous)

Types of tumours:
Benign
• Non-cancerous
• Do not penetrate into surrounding tissue
• Surrounded by a capsule

Malignant
• Cancerous
• Penetrate into surrounding tissue
• Spreads between cells
Cancer & Tumours
Causes of cancer
Carcinogens (substrate that causes cancer)
• Chemicals – benzene, asbestos, tobacco smoke
• Radiation – Too much UV rays, x-rays,
nuclear power stations
• Viruses
• Inherited genes/family history
• Diet and lifestyle
• Age
Treatment of cancer
• Easier to treat if diagnosed at early stages
• Regular check-ups for example: pap smears, colonoscopies &
mammograms.

Treatments include:
• Surgery - Cutting out cancer
• Radiotherapy – x-rays + gamma rays
• Chemotherapy – Chemicals
• Traditional medicines – Cancer bush
Pap smears
Colonoscopies
Mammograms
Beliefs and attitudes
• People with cancer are going to die – NOT TRUE!
• Cancer can be treated
• People do not talk about cancer
• Some think you can “catch” cancer from someone who
has it
• Some people do not want to get tested or screened
• Education is needed
Micrographs
of
mitosis