1 of 27

THINK ABOUT IT

What role does cell division play in your life?

Does cell division stop when you are finished growing?

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

2 of 27

Chromosomes

What is the role of chromosomes in cell division?

Chromosomes make it possible to

separate DNA precisely during cell

division.

Every cell must copy its genetic information before cell division begins.

Each daughter cell gets its own copy of that genetic information.

Cells of every organism have a specific number of chromosomes.

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

3 of 27

Eukaryotic Chromosomes

In eukaryotic cells, chromosomes are located in the nucleus, and are made up of chromatin.

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

4 of 27

Chromatin is composed of DNA and histone proteins.

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

5 of 27

DNA coils around histone proteins to form nucleosomes.

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

6 of 27

The nucleosomes interact with one another to form coils and supercoils that make up chromosomes.

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

7 of 27

Prokaryotic Chromosomes

Prokaryotic cells lack nuclei. Instead, their DNA molecules are found in the cytoplasm.

Most prokaryotes contain a single, circular DNA molecule, or chromosome, that contains most of the cell’s genetic information.

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

8 of 27

The Prokaryotic Cell Cycle

The prokaryotic cell cycle is a regular pattern of growth, DNA replication, and cell division.

Most prokaryotic cells begin to replicate, or copy, their DNA once they have grown to a certain size.

When DNA replication is complete, the cells divide through a process known as binary fission.

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

9 of 27

The Cell Cycle

What are the main events of the cell cycle?

During the cell cycle, a cell grows, prepares for division, and divides to form two daughter cells.

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

10 of 27

The Eukaryotic Cell Cycle

The eukaryotic cell cycle consists of four phases: G1, S, G2, and M.

Interphase is the time between cell divisions. It is a period of growth that consists of the G1, S, and G2 phases. The M phase is the period of cell division.

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

11 of 27

G1 Phase: Cell Growth

In the G1 phase, cells increase in size and synthesize new proteins and organelles.

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

12 of 27

S Phase: DNA Replication

In the S (or synthesis) phase, new DNA is synthesized when the “chromosomes” are replicated (chromatids become chromosomes).

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

13 of 27

G2 Phase: Preparing for Cell Division

In the G2 phase, many of the organelles and molecules required for cell division are produced.

The “mother cell” pushes the size limits.

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

14 of 27

M Phase: Cell Division

In eukaryotes, cell division occurs in two stages: mitosis and cytokinesis.

Mitosis is the division of the cell nucleus.

Cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm.

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

15 of 27

Concept Map

includes

is divided into

is divided into

Section 10-2

Cell Cycle

M phase

(Mitosis)

Interphase

G1 phase

S phase

Prophase

G2 phase

Metaphase

Telophase

Anaphase

Go to Section:

I P M A T

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

16 of 27

Mitosis

What events occur during each of the four phases of mitosis?

During prophase, the genetic material (chromatin) inside the nucleus condenses and the duplicated chromosomes become visible. Outside the nucleus, a spindle starts to form.

The centrioles move to opposite sides of nucleus and help organize the spindle.

The spindle forms and DNA strands attach at a point called their centromere.

The nucleolus disappears and nuclear envelope breaks down.

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

17 of 27

Mitosis

What events occur during each of the four phases of mitosis?

During metaphase, the centromeres of the duplicated chromosomes line up across the center of the cell. Spindle fibers connect the centromere of each chromosome to the two poles of the spindle.

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

18 of 27

Mitosis

What events occur during each of the four phases of mitosis?

During anaphase, the chromosomes separate and move along spindle fibers to opposite ends of the cell.

The centromeres are pulled apart and the chromatids separate to become individual “chromosomes”. The “chromosomes” congregate into two groups near the poles of the spindle.

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

19 of 27

Mitosis

What events occur during each of the four phases of mitosis?

During telophase, the chromosomes, which were distinct and condensed, begin to spread out into a tangle of chromatin.

A nuclear envelope re-forms around each cluster of chromosomes.

The spindle breaks apart, and a nucleolus becomes visible in each daughter nucleus.

Cytokinesis occurs

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

20 of 27

Cytokinesis

How do daughter cells split apart after mitosis?

Cytokinesis completes the process of cell division – it splits one cell into two.

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

21 of 27

The Stages of the Cell Cycle

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

22 of 27

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

23 of 27

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

24 of 27

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

25 of 27

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

26 of 27

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division

27 of 27

Important C-words Involved in Mitosis

Chromosome – paired spooled up (organized) DNA

Chromatid – each strand of a duplicated chromosome

Centromere – the area where each pair of chromatids is joined

Centrioles – tiny structures located in the cytoplasm of animal cells that help organize the spindle

Cytokinesis – division of the cytoplasm.

cell plate – cytokinesis in plant cells

cleavage furrow – cytokinesis in animal cells

Cell cycle – life of a cell between divisions (G1,S,G2,M)

Lesson Overview

The Process of Cell Division