BIO 100 GENETICS
Topic Title: Cell Cycle and Meiosis
Overview
The cell cycle is the series of events that cells go through as they grow, replicate their DNA, and
divide. While mitosis focuses on somatic cell division, meiosis is a specialized form of cell
division that produces gametes (sperm and eggs) with half the genetic material of the parent cell,
crucial for sexual reproduction. The most basic function of the cell cycle is to duplicate
accurately the vast amount of DNA in the chromosomes and then segregate the copies precisely
into two genetically identical daughter cells. These processes define the two major phases of the
cell cycle. DNA duplication occurs during S phase (S for synthesis), which requires 10–12 hours
and occupies about half of the cell-cycle time in a typical mammalian cell. After S phase,
chromosome segregation and cell division occur in M phase (M for mitosis), which requires
much less time (less than an hour in a mammalian cell). M phase involves a series of dramatic
events that begin with nuclear division, or mitosis. As discussed in detail in Chapter 18, mitosis
begins with chromosome condensation: the duplicated DNA strands, packaged into elongated
chromosomes, condense into the much more compact chromosomes required for their
segregation. The nuclear envelope then breaks down, and the replicated chromosomes, each
consisting of a pair of sister chromatids, become attached to the microtubules of the mitotic
spindle. As mitosis proceeds, the cell pauses briefly in a state called metaphase, when the
chromosomes are aligned at the equator of the mitotic spindle, poised for segregation. The
sudden separation of sister chromatids marks the beginning of anaphase, during which the
chromosomes move to opposite poles of the spindle, where they deco dense and reform intact
nuclei. The cell is then pinched in two by cytoplasmic division, or cytokinesis, and cell division
is complete
Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
Describe the stages of the cell cycle and meiosis.
Differentiate between mitosis and meiosis.
Explain the role of meiosis in maintaining genetic diversity.
Identify examples of errors in meiosis leading to chromosomal disorders.
II. Contents
1. Stages of the Cell Cycle
Interphase (Growth and Preparation):
G1 Phase: Cell growth and preparation.
S Phase: DNA replication.
G2 Phase: Preparation for division.
(Example: A skin cell preparing to divide through mitosis.)
M Phase (Mitosis and Cytokinesis):
Mitosis: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase.
Cytokinesis: Division of cytoplasm.
(Example: Healing a wound involves mitosis in skin cells.)
2. Meiosis
Meiosis consists of two rounds of division (Meiosis I and Meiosis II), reducing the chromosome
number by half and generating genetic diversity.
Meiosis I (Reductional Division):
Prophase I: Homologous chromosomes pair and undergo crossing over.
Metaphase I: Homologous pairs align at the center.
Anaphase I: Homologous chromosomes separate.
Telophase I: Two haploid cells form.
(Example: Crossing over during Prophase I creates genetic diversity in gametes.)
Meiosis II (Equational Division):
Prophase II: Spindle fibers reform.
Metaphase II: Chromosomes align.
Anaphase II: Sister chromatids separate.
Telophase II: Four haploid cells result.
(Example: Sperm production in males involves meiosis.)
3. Comparison of Mitosis and Meiosis
ASPECT MITOSIS MEIOSIS
Function Growth Sexual Reproduction
Repair Genetic Diversity
Asexual Reproduction
Number of Divisions One Two
Outcome Two identical diploid cells Four non-identical haploid
cellss
4. Errors in the Cell Cycle and Meiosis
Unregulated cell cycle: Cancer development.
Meiosis errors: Nondisjunction leading to conditions like Down Syndrome, Turner Syndrome,
and Klinefelter Syndrome.
III.Pop Quiz.
1. What is the main purpose of the cell cycle?
2. Name the three stages of interphase.
3. Which phase of mitosis involves the alignment of chromosomes in the middle of the cell?
4. What is the primary outcome of meiosis?
5. During which phase of meiosis does crossing over occur?
6. How many daughter cells are produced in mitosis?
7. It the division of the cytoplasm to form two separate cells.
8. What ensures the cell cycle progresses without errors?
9. What type of cells does meiosis produce?
10. Why is genetic diversity important?
IV. Summary (Graphic Organizer)
References:
Cell Cycle Concept Map Template. (n.d.). Edrawsoft.
https://www.edrawmind.com/templates/cell-cycle-concept-map-template.html
Campbell, N. A., Reece, J. B., Urry, L. A., Cain, M. L., Wasserman, S. A., Minorsky, P. V., &
Jackson, R. B. (2018). Biology (11th ed.). Pearson Education.
Alberts, B., Johnson, A., Lewis, J., Raff, M., Roberts, K., & Walter, P. (2002). An overview of
the cell cycle. Molecular Biology of the Cell - NCBI Bookshelf.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK26869/
