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Science
Quarter 4 – Module 2:
Cell Division
Science – Grade 8
Quarter 4 – Module 2: Cell Division
First Edition, 2021

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Published by the Department of Education – Region XI

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Hazel Mae T. Simo

Editor: Geneveve B. Pales; Genevaive M. Pepito
Reviewer: Genevaive M. Pepito
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Jinky B. Firman
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Department of Education – Division of Davao City

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E-mail Address: lrms.davaocity@deped.gov.ph
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Science
Quarter 4 – Module 2:
Cell Division
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:
As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to
use this module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress
while allowing them to manage their own learning at home.
Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist the learners as
they do the tasks included in the module.

For the learner:

As a learner, you must learn to become responsible of your own
learning. Take time to read, understand, and perform the different
activities in the module.
As you go through the different activities of this module be
reminded of the following:
1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any
part of the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the
exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer Let Us Try before moving on to the other
activities.
3. Read the instructions carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking
your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are done.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this
module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always
bear in mind that you are not alone. We hope that through this material,
you will experience meaningful learning and gain deep understanding
of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

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 Let Us Learn

A wonderful day to you little scientist! In this module, you will learn the
concepts of cell division. You shall learn the processes and importance of cell
division.

Specifically, you are expected to:

• Compare mitosis and meiosis, and their role in the cell cycle;
• Explain the significance of meiosis in maintaining the chromosome
number

Let Us Try!

Choose the best answer and write this on a separate paper.

1. In which stage of the cell cycle does DNA synthesis take place?
A. G1 C. G2
B. S D. M phase

2. Which of the following would you expect if an animal cell completed

telophase?
A. individual chromatids separating
B. chromosomes clustered at the poles
C. formation of two genetically identical cells
D. formation of vesicles at the metaphase plate

3. In metaphase I of meiosis, how do homologous chromosomes

contribute to greater variation in gametes?
A. Since homologous chromosomes dissociate during metaphase I
from the spindle fibers, they transfer to the daughter cells at
random.
B. During metaphase I, the homologous chromosomes are paired
closely and undergo crossover as a lattice around them forms the
synaptonemal complex.
C. In metaphase I, recombination of maternal and paternal
chromosomes occurs because at their centromeres the
homologous chromosomes are not connected.
D. At the metaphase plate, the random arrangement of homologous
chromosomes guarantees the random destination of the
chromosomes in the daughter cells.

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4. Meiosis is responsible for creating gametes. A diploid (2N) parental cell
will divide and form two identical haploid daughter cells in this process.
Thus, these two will further undergo cell division, producing two
daughter haploid cells. How many chromosomal numbers are there for
each cell?
A. 10 C. 23
B. 20 D. 46

5. While playing basketball, Kevin was wounded in his left knee, so he

washed the wound and went home. Three days later, he found that the
wound had finally healed. In the healing process of Kevin's wound,
what sort of cell division took place?
A. mitosis C. diakinesis
B. meiosis D. cytokinesis

Let Us Study

Have you ever looked down to see a wound in your arm and you have
no idea how you got it? Then a few days later, it’s gone. Have you also
looked at your old photographs and realize that you were taller than five
years ago? What's in common with these things? Mitosis is one big thing
that they have in common.
Mitosis is a type of cell division performed by the cells of your body.
Cells need to divide. If they did not divide you will not grow. Mitosis is one
reason you were taller than five years ago.
Let's look at another type of cell division that leads to genetic
diversity. For instance, you and your sister have the same parents but still,
you look different from each other. This process is called meiosis. Meiosis
makes sperm and egg cells otherwise known as gametes.

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 The cell cycle is the name we give to the mechanism by which cells
multiply and make new cells. The two major stages in the cell cycle are
interphase, and, cell division or mitotic phase. Interphase is the period
between mitotic divisions – that is G1, S, and G2.

The stage where the cell prepares to divide is G1. It then goes into the
S phase, where all the DNA is copied by the cell. So, S stands for the synthesis
of DNA. The cell moves into the G2 phase, where it organizes and condenses
the genetic material, or begins to condense the genetic material, and prepares
to divide after the DNA is copied and there is a full extra collection of all the
genetic material. M is the next stage. M stands for mitosis. This is where the
two copies of the genetic material are partitioned into two daughter cells by
the cell. Cell division happens after the M step is completed and two cells are
left, and the cell cycle will begin again.

If a cell is fully developed, it either stops growing or divides and

produces more cells through cell division. Cell division in your body helps to
expand and fix worn-out tissues. Division can also lead to an increased
number of cells growing. There are two types of division of cells: mitosis and
meiosis. Mitosis happens in somatic or body cells while meiosis happens in
germ cells that give rise to gametes or sex cells (egg and sperm cells).

The completion of the entire cycle varies depending upon the cell type.
Some cells complete the cycle within a few minutes; others after several hours
or even a year. After 12-14 hours in your body, most cells divide (Science in
Today’s World, 2017).

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Two types of cell division: MITOSIS and MEIOSIS

• MITOSIS is a form of cell division that produces two daughter cells

having the same genetic material as its parent. It is a continuous
process but conventionally divided into these stages:

Stage 1- Prophase
This phase occupies over half of mitosis. The
cell prepares for cell division by copying the
DNA and the nuclear membrane and
nucleolus are starting to break down in this
process. Chromatin condenses into
chromosomes. A centromere binds the
double-stranded chromosomes together at
one point. Spindle fibers begin to form, which
are microscopic protein structures that help
divide the genetic material in the cell.
Prophase

Stage 2- Metaphase
At the equator of the cell, the now double-
stranded chromosomes called chromatids
align themselves. Each chromatid is
connected to the spindle by a structure called
kinetochore in the centromere.

Metaphase

Stage 3- Anaphase
This is the shortest stage. The chromatids are
pushed by forces originating from the poles to
pass. Consequently, the centromere divides
into new, single-stranded chromosomes,
splitting the chromatids. After that, the
chromosomes travel towards their respective
poles.

Anaphase

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 Stage 4- Telophase
This is the final mitosis step. The
opposite poles have now reached the
chromosomes, and the spindle is
vanishing. The chromosomes uncoil at
the poles and the nucleolus and nuclear
membrane start reforming. The
cytoplasm simultaneously divides and
the cell is separated into two by a
Telophase
plasma membrane. The formation of the
new plasma membrane completely
divides the cell into two identical
daughter cells.

The creation of a cleavage furrow in animal cells is necessary for

cytokinesis, where the cytoplasm divides and the parent cell becomes two
daughter cells. It pinches the cell off or splits it into two. In plants, cells do
not pinch off. Instead, between the two nuclei, a new cell wall called the cell
plate forms (Science in Today’s World, 2017).

Two identical daughter cells are formed from one parent cell after
telophase, and the cells enter the interphase stage then.

• MEIOSIS is a form of cell division that produces haploid sex cells or

gametes (with a single copy of each chromosome) from diploid cells (with
two copies of each chromosome). Meiosis involves DNA replication
followed by two successive nuclear and cellular divisions – Meiosis I and
Meiosis II.

Stages of Meiosis I

With just one round of DNA replication, Meiosis consists of two

consecutive nuclear divisions. For each nuclear division, four stages can be
identified. In Meiosis I, a special cell division reduces the cell from diploid to
haploid.

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Prophase I
The chromosomes are already duplicated at
the beginning of prophase I. Each
chromosome consists of two sister
chromatids that are attached through the
centromere to each other. In a loop called
synapsis, the chromosomes pair with their
homologous ones. One inherited chromosome
from the father and one inherited
chromosome from the mother is made of a
paired homologous chromosome. This is
commonly referred to as a tetrad, since it ©L. J. D. Pulvera;2021

consists of four chromatids. During the latter

part of this stage, there will be a crossing-over Prophase I
or exchange of genetic material between
homologous chromosomes (refer to the darker
and lighter shades).

Metaphase I
The paired homologous chromosomes align at
the equatorial plate when the spindle fibers
are completely formed. The arrangement of
the paired chromosomes is random.
©L. J. D. Pulvera;2021

Metaphase I

Anaphase I
Each member separates from the other and
moves to the opposite poles of the homologous
pair. Random events are the positioning of
each pair of homologous ones at the equator
and their corresponding direction of motion.
No matter which partner moves to which pole,
it does not matter.

©L. J. D. Pulvera;2021

Anaphase I

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 Telophase I
Two daughter cells are produced, with
only one chromosome of the
homologous pair being present in each
daughter cell. This means that there is
only a haploid chromosome number in
each daughter cell.

Telophase I
Meiosis II separates each chromosome
into two chromatids.

Stages of Meiosis II

Prophase II
This is the step following the cell division ©L. J. D. Pulvera;2021
in telophase I. In this step, there is no DNA
replication. At the centromere, the sister
chromatids of each chromosome are still
attached. Nuclear membrane dissolves.
Prophase II

Metaphase II
On an equatorial plate, each chromosome
aligns with each other.

Metaphase II

Anaphase II
Centromeres divide and each
chromosome's sister chromatids move
toward each pole separately.

©L. J. D. Pulvera;2021

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 Telophase II
The division of cells is complete. They
contain four haploid cells. This means
that there is a haploid number of single-
stranded chromosomes for each gamete
after cytokinesis.
Anaphase II

Telophase II

What happens in Meiosis II are analogous to those of a mitotic division,

although the number of chromosomes has been halved.

Four daughter cells are formed by one parent cell, each receiving half the
number of chromosomes from its parent cell. Every daughter cell is
genetically distinct from each other due to crossing-over.

Importance of Meiosis in the Life Cycle of Animals

During fertilization, gametes such as eggs and sperm unite, forming a

diploid zygote. Gametogenesis is the production of gametes from haploid
precursor cells. One set of chromosomes from the male parent and another
set from the female parent are required for the zygote. In humans, through
their gametes, both father and mother contribute 23 chromosomes each. The
zygote, therefore, has 46 chromosomes. A zygote breaks several times. A new
diploid multicellular organism is created by this.

In male animals, sperm cells are produced in the testes. Meiosis

develops four very small but equally sized cells. These cells become sperm or
spermatozoa. In the head of the sperm, the nucleus is located; in the middle
section that ties the head to the tail, mitochondria are found. These
mitochondria provide the energy for the tail of the sperm to move.

Female animals produced egg cells in the ovary. When a cell in the
ovary undergoes meiosis, new cells which differ in size are produced. Two
cells, one large and one small, are manufactured after meiosis I. From the
first big cell, Meiosis II creates one big and one small cell. It may or may not
divide the small cell that is created from meiosis I. If it does, it generates two
small cells. The big cell becomes the cell of the egg; the tiny cells disintegrate.
At the beginning of its development, the egg cell contains a lot of stored food
that is used by the developing embryo. The tiny sperm cell contributes only
its genetic material contained in the head during fertilization.

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 Let Us Practice
Activity 1: Crossword Puzzle

Direction: Complete the puzzle by reading the clues then putting in the
appropriate responses. Use a separate paper for your answers.

Mitosis is a form of cell division that takes place in somatic cells/ body cells.
It produces from a single parent the two identical daughter cells, while
meiosis involves two divisions of cells that result in cells with a haploid
number of chromosomes (Science in Today’s World, 2017).

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 Let Us Practice More

Comparison between mitosis and meiosis

Activity 2: Check it out!

Direction: Read each statement and check the appropriate column to where
it applies. Write your answers on a separate paper.

Statement Mitosis Meiosis

1. Chromosomes are duplicated

2. There is an exchange of material through
crossing-over
3. Gives rise to two new identical cells

4. Gives rise to four new cells

5. Paired homologous chromosomes align at the
equatorial plate
6. Chromosomes are finishing moving into separate
daughter cells
7. Produces somatic cells

8. Produces sex cells

A method of cell division varies from the type of cells in both mitosis and
meiosis and how each type divides and the end result of each division differs
in cell number. This results in the uniqueness of the two types of cells.

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 Let Us Remember

• The cell cycle has two phases: the interphase and cell division.
• Mitosis is a cell division that occurs in somatic/body cells.
• Mitosis has four stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase.
• Mitosis is a reproduction that happens among unicellular organisms
and some plant species.
• Mitosis is a process of generating more cells that are genetically similar
to the parent cell. It plays an important role in the development of
embryos, and it is also important for our bodies' growth and
development.
• Meiosis is a cell division that occurs in reproductive cells. It is divided
into two stages: Meiosis I and Meiosis II.
• During meiosis, crossing over of chromosomes happen.
• The genetic information encoded in the sister chromatids is rearranged
through crossing over.
• Meiosis I decreases the number of homologous diploid chromosomes
to haploid cells.
• Meiosis II is responsible for producing four daughter haploid cells.
• Gametogenesis is the production of sperm and egg cells that takes place
through the process of meiosis.
• Meiosis is responsible for the genetic variations and physical difference
between and among members of a given species.

Let Us Assess

Read the questions carefully. Choose the best answer and write it on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. While playing basketball, Kevin was wounded in his left knee, so he

washed the wound and went home. Three days later, he found that the
wound had finally healed. In the healing process of Kevin's wound,
what sort of cell division took place?
A. mitosis C. diakinesis
B. meiosis D. cytokinesis

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2. In metaphase I of meiosis, how do homologous chromosomes
contribute to greater variation in gametes?
A. Since homologous chromosomes dissociate during metaphase I
from the spindle fibers, they transfer to the daughter cells at
random.
B. During metaphase I, the homologous chromosomes are paired
closely and undergo crossover as a lattice around them forms the
synaptonemal complex.
C. In metaphase I, recombination of maternal and paternal
chromosomes occurs because at their centromeres the
homologous chromosomes are not connected.
D. At the metaphase plate, the random arrangement of homologous
chromosomes guarantees the random destination of the
chromosomes in the daughter cells.

3. Which of the following would you expect if an animal cell completed

telophase?
A. individual chromatids separating
B. chromosomes clustered at the poles
C. formation of two genetically identical cells
D. formation of vesicles at the metaphase plate

4. During which mitotic stage do microtubules begin to form the spindle

fibers?
A. Anaphase C. Prophase
B. Metaphase D. Telophase

5. In which stage of the cell cycle does DNA synthesis take place?
A. G1 C. G2
B. S D. M phase

6. During cell division, a mouse has a mutation in which its sister

chromatids are unable to separate. In order to relieve the condition
using drug therapy, what step of mitosis should researchers’ examine?
A. Anaphase C. Prophase
B. Metaphase D. Telophase

7. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of meiosis?

A. Four haploid daughter cells are made.
B. This works to grow and repair the human body.
C. It generates no homologous chromosomes in egg and sperm cells.
D. It decreases the number of homologous diploid chromosomes
to haploid cells.

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8. In which point of meiosis is genetic makeup of gametes determined?

A. Anaphase I
B. Anaphase II
C. Metaphase I
D. Metaphase II

9. If mitosis were not followed by cytoplasmic division, what will most

likely be produced?
A. one cell without a nucleus C. two cells each with one
nucleus
B. one cell with two identical D. two cells each without a
nuclei nucleus

10. When does DNA replication occur?

A. Cytokinesis C. Telophase
B. Interphase D. Mitotic phase

11. During mitosis and meiosis, which of the following cellular structures
often disappear?
A. spindles C. cytoplasm
B. kinetochore D. nucleolus and nuclear
envelope

12. In which phase of the cell cycle does organizing and condensing of
genetic material begins?
A. G1
B. S
C. G2
D. M phase

13. In mitotic cell division, which two processes are involved?

A. oogenesis and cytoplasmic division
B. nuclear duplication and cytoplasmic division
C. spermatogenesis and cytoplasmic duplication
D. nuclear duplication and cytoplasmic duplication

14. Which of the following occurs during both meiosis and mitosis?
A. crossing over C. homologous chromosomes
separate
B. sister chromatids separate D. random alignment of
homologous chromosomes

15. Which of the following is NOT one of the reasons we need mitosis?
A. growth C. recovering from injuries
B. reproducing D. replacement of dead cells

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 Let Us Enhance

Activity 3A: Remember Me!

Direction: Label each stage of mitosis and/or meiosis correctly. Use a separate
paper for your answers.

1. 2. 3.

_________________ ________________ _______________

4. 5. 6.

______________ ______________ _____________

7. 8. 9.

_____________ ______________ _____________

10. 11. 12.

________________ _________________ ______________

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Activity 3B: Perfect Pair!

Direction: Match column A with column B. Write your answers on a

separate paper.

A B

1. mitotic spindle forms and the a. anaphase II

chromosomes condense b. prophase II
c. prophase
2. four cells are formed by the end d. metaphase II
of meiosis e. prophase I
f. anaphase
3. chromosomes line up individually g. metaphase
along the metaphase plate h. metaphase I
i. telophase
4. the phase that follows after j. telophase I
meiosis I k. telophase II

5. sister chromatids separate and

migrate to opposite spindle poles

6. homologous chromosomes are

arranged in the center of the cell

7. the chromosomes begin to decondense,

break down the spindle, and re-form the nuclear
membranes and nucleoli

8. sister chromatids separate and begin

to move towards the opposite ends of the cell,
it precedes telophase II

9. the second phase of mitosis where

chromosomes line up at the center of the cell

10. it forms two haploid daughter cells

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 Let Us Reflect

Cell division is vital to life: we are constantly evolving and

increasing from the moment we are born. They must create new cells
and allow for the death of old cells in order for our bodies to grow and
develop. The division of cells is also an integral part of healing injuries.
Our bodies could never develop new skin cells to cure road rash, or grow
a fingernail back, if our cells couldn't divide and build new cells.
However, drastic outcomes can occur when cell division goes wrong.
Repeated rounds of uncontrolled cell division may lead to a minor
disorder such as psoriasis or a life-threatening disease like cancer
without adequate cellular supervision. The division of cells takes place
in a strict cycle, with several steps and checkpoints to ensure that things
do not go wrong.
Maybe most significantly, no species would be able to reproduce
without cell division; life would simply end. As a fertilized egg or zygote,
every human, as well as every sexually reproductive organism, begins
life. In order to create a complex, multicellular individual, trillions of cell
divisions subsequently occur in a regulated way. The original single cell
is the ancestor of any other cell in the body. Cell division is used by
single-celled species as their mode of reproduction.

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 17
Let Us Assess
11. D
12. C
13. B
14. B
15. B
Let Us Assess Let Us Assess Let Us Try
6. A 1. A 1. B
2. C
7. B 2. A
3. A
8. A 3. C 4. C
5. A
9. B 4. C
10. B 5. B
Answer Key
 References

n.d. Biology Corner. Accessed January 16, 2021.

https://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/Chromosomestudy.htm.
Brody, Lawrence C. 2014. National Human Genome Research Institute. April
4. Accessed January 13, 2021. https://www.genome.gov/genetics-
glossary/Cell-Cycle.
Campo, Pia C., May R. Chavez, Maria Helen D. H. Catalan, Leticia V. Catris,
Marlene B. Ferido, Ian Kendrich C. Fontanilla, Jacqueline Rose M.
Gutierrez, et al. 2013. Science Grade 8 Learner's Module. Pasig City:
Vibal Publishing House Inc.
Evangelista, Eden Vela, Gloria Lajara Follosco, Adora Soriano Pili, and
Rosario Laurel Sotto. 2017. Science in Today's World. Quezon City:
Sibs Publishing House, Inc.
n.d. Lumen Learning. Accessed January 16, 2021.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-wmopen-
biology1/chapter/why-it-matters-cell-division/.
Madriaga, Esrellita A., Meliza P. Valdoz, Marites D. Aquino, and Mary Anne
B. Castillo. 2017. Science Links. Manila: Rex Book Store, Inc.

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Davao City Division

E. Quirino Avenue, Davao City

Telephone: (082) 227 4762

Email Address: lrms.davaocity@deped.gov.ph