CELL DIVISION

MWANGI KJ
CELL DIVISION

 Cell reproduction is ubiquitous role that the DNA-

genetic system plays in all life processes.
 CELL DIVISION

cell division – it is the process by which cells reproduce themselves.

 Most cells of the human body undergo cell division
 There are 2 types of cell division:-
o Somatic cell division
o reproductive cell division
 A somatic cell ( soma = body) 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.
 cell division

 In somatic cell division the cell undergoes:-

1. a nuclear division called mitosis &
2. a cytoplasmic division called cytokinesis
 to produce 2 genetically identical cells, each with the same No. and kind of
chromosomes as the original cell.
 Somatic cell division replaces dead or injured cells and adds new ones during
tissue growth.
 Reproductive cell division is the mechanism that produces gametes, the cells
needed to form the next generation of sexually reproducing organisms
 Somatic Cell Division

 cell cycle is an orderly sequence of events in which a somatic cell duplicates its contents and divides in two.
NB: Some cells divide more than others.
 Human cells, such as those in the brain, stomach, and kidneys, contain 23 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 46.
 One member of each pair is inherited from each parent.
 The 2 chromosomes that make up each pair are called homologous chromosomes (homo- = same) or homologs;
they contain similar genes arranged in the same (or almost the same) order.
 When examined under a light microscope, homologous chromosomes generally look very similar.
 The exception to this rule is one pair of chromosomes called the sex chromosomes, designated X and Y.
o In females the homologous pair of sex chromosomes consists of 2 large X chromosomes
o in males the pair consists of an X and a much smaller Y chromosome.
 Because somatic cells contain two sets of chromosomes, they are called diploid cells (dipl- =double; -oid _ form),
symbolized 2n.
 Somatic Cell Division

 When a cell reproduces, it must replicate (duplicate) all its

chromosomes to pass its genes to the next generation of cells.
The cell cycle consists of 2 major periods:
1. interphase -when a cell is not dividing
2. the mitotic (M) phase -when a cell is dividing.
 Interphase

 During interphase the cell replicates its DNA thro’ a process that will be
described shortly.
 It also produces additional organelles and cytosolic components in
anticipation of cell division.
 Interphase is a state of high metabolic activity; it is during this time that
the cell does most of its growing
Interphase

 Interphase consists of 3 phases:

1. G1
2. S
3. G2
NB:
o The S stands for synthesis of DNA.
o Because the G phases are periods when there is no activity related to DNA duplication,
they are thought of as gaps or interruptions in DNA duplication.
Cell cycle
 The G1 phase

 it is the interval btn 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
 A cell with a total cell cycle takes about 24 hours
 G1 lasts 8 to 10 hours.
 However, the duration of this phase is quite variable. It is very short in many embryonic cells or cancer cells.
 Cells that remain in G1 for a very long time, perhaps destined never to divide again, are said to be in the G0
phase. Most nerve cells are in the G0 phase.
 NB: Once a cell enters the S phase, however, it is committed to go through the rest of the cell cycle
The S phase

 It is the interval between G1 and G2

 lasts about 8 hours.
 During the S phase DNA replication occurs.
 As a result of DNA replication, the 2 identical cells
formed during cell division later in the cell cycle will
have the same genetic material.
 The G2 phase

 It is the interval between the S phase and the mitotic phase.

 It lasts 4 to 6 hours.
 During G2, 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.
 Each exposed base of the old DNA strand then pairs with the complementary base of a newly synthesized
nucleotide.
 A new DNA strand takes shape as chemical bonds form between neighboring nucleotides.
 The uncoiling and complementary base pairing continues until each of the two original DNA strands is joined
with a newly formed complementary DNA strand.
 The original DNA molecule has become two identical DNA molecules
 Summary of interphase

o G1 phase: Cell metabolically active; duplicates organelles & cytosolic

components; centrosome replication begins (8-10 hours)
o S phase: DNA replicated (8 hours)
o G2 phase: Cell growth continues; enzymes and other proteins are
synthesized; centrosome replication completed (4-6 hours)
o G0 phase: Exit from cell cycle (nondividing cell)
CELL CYCLE SUMMARY
 Cell Mitosis

 Mitosis- it is actual process by which the cell splits into 2 new cells .
 Once each chromosome has been replicated to form the 2 chromatids,
in many cells, mitosis follows automatically within 1 or 2 hours.
Stages of cell reproduction

A, B, and C, Prophase.
D, Prometaphase.
E, Metaphase.
F, Anaphase.
G and H, Telophase.
 Prophase

 The first stage of mitosis, called prophase (is shown in A, B, and C.)
 While the spindle is forming, the chromosomes of the nucleus
(which in interphase consist of loosely coiled strands) become
condensed into well-defined chromosomes
Prometaphase

 During this stage , the growing microtubular spines of

the aster fragment the nuclear envelope.
 At the same time, multiple microtubules from the
aster attach to the chromatids at the centromeres,
where the paired chromatids are still bound to each
other; the tubules then pull one chromatid of each
pair toward one cellular pole and its partner toward
the opposite pole
 Metaphase

 The 2 asters of the mitotic apparatus are pushed farther apart.

 This is believed to occur because the microtubular spines from the 2
asters, where they interdigitate with each other to form the mitotic
spindle, actually push each other away.
 Simultaneously, the chromatids are pulled tightly by their attached
microtubules to the very center of the cell, lining up to form the
equatorial plate of the mitotic spindle
 Anaphase

 During this phase , the two chromatids of each chromosome are

pulled apart at the centromere.
 All 46 pairs of chromatids are separated, forming two separate sets of
46 daughter chromosomes.
 One of these sets is pulled toward one mitotic aster and the other
toward the other aster as the two respective poles of the dividing cell
are pushed still farther apart.
 Telophase

 In telophase, the two sets of daughter chromosomes are pushed completely apart.
 Then the mitotic apparatus dissolutes, and a new nuclear membrane develops
around each set of chromosomes.
 This membrane is formed from portions of the endoplasmic reticulum that are
already present in the cytoplasm. Shortly thereafter, the cell pinches in two,
midway between the two nuclei.
 This is caused by formation of a contractile ring of microfilaments composed of
actin and probably myosin (the two contractile proteins of muscle) at the juncture
of the newly developing cells that pinches them off from each other.
MITOSIS SUMMARY
 Regulation of Cell Size

 Cell size is determined almost entirely by the amount of functioning DNA in the
nucleus.
 If replication of the DNA does not occur, the cell grows to a certain size and
thereafter remains at that size.
 Conversely, it is possible, by use of the chemical colchicine, to prevent formation of
the mitotic spindle and therefore to prevent mitosis, even though replication of the
DNA continues.
 In this event, the nucleus contains far greater quantities of DNA than it normally
does, and the cell grows proportionately larger.
 It is assumed that this results simply from increased production of RNA and cell
proteins, which in turn cause the cell to grow larger.
 Sketch the Cell Cycle 24

DNA Copied

Cells prepare for Division

Cells
Mature

Daughter Cells

Cell Divides into Identical cells