Unit 5 – Cell Reproduction

Biology Lecture Notes

 

Cell Division: Mitosis

•      All cells arise from pre-existing cells (except for the first cell(s) ever).

•      The genetic library (genome) of a cell is passed onto divided (sister) cells.

•      Mitosis – this is the process of how one cell makes exact (almost) copies of itself.

•      Mitosis results in two genetically identical (almost) daughter cell from one parent cell which they are also identical with.

 

Prokaryotic Cell Division

•      DNA is circular.

•      DNA is not condensed into chromosomes.

•      No nucleus

•      Simple genome of ~ 3000 genes.

 

Prokaryotic Cell Division

•      Prior to division, bacterium grows to twice its size

•      So does the PM and the cell wall

•      During this time, the circular DNA begins to replicate itself.

•      Circular DNA attached to the cytoplasmic surface of the PM and replication begins from this pt.

 

Eukaryotic Cell Division

•      DNA is not circular

•      DNA is linear and organized into distinct structures called chromosomes.

 

Chromosome Numbers

•      Saccharomyces (yeast) – 16

•      Mosquito – 6

•      Garden pea – 14

•      Frog – 26

•      Mouse – 40

•      Human – 46 (~40,000 genes)

•      Chimpanzee – 48

•      Chicken and dog – 78

•      Horsetail fern – 216

Eukaryotic Cell Division

•      In most eukaryotic organisms, most cells are diploid (2n).

•      Diploid – possess a pair of every chromosome

•      Human = 46 chromosomes

•      They have a pair of each of 23 chromosomes.

•      Gametes (eggs and sperm) are haploid (1n).

•      Gametes possess one of each chromosome

•      Human gametes possess 23 chromosomes.

•             Homologous chromosomes are a pair of the same number, i. e., pair #21

•             Sister chromatids are duplicates of the same chromosome held together by a centromere.

 

The Mitotic Cell Cycle

 

Interphase

•             This is where the cell spends most of its life…..carrying out its functions.

 

4 Stages of Mitosis

•             Prophase

•             Metaphase

•             Anaphase

•             Telophase

 

A.  Prophase

•      First stage of mitosis

•      Begins when chromosomes actually begin to appear from the condensing DNA

•      Nuclear envelope breaks down

•      Nucleolus disappears

•      Mitotic spindle begins to form

 

B.  Metaphase

•      Second stage of mitosis

•      Mitotic spindle fully formed

•      Chromosomes align in single file on the metaphasic plate.

•      Centromere splits and sister chromatids are no longer connected.

 

C.  Anaphase

•      Third stage of mitosis

•      Sister chromatids are pulled in opposite directions toward the opposite centrosomes.

 

D.  Telophase

•      Fourth and last stage of mitosis

•      Spindle apparatus is disassembled.

•      Nuclear envelope is reestablished.

•      DNA uncoils

•      Gene expression starts up again.

 

Plant Cytokinesis

•      The parent cell is surrounded with a rigid cell wall which can’t be “purse-stringed”.

•      They assemble vesicles between the 2 nuclei that contain membranes.

•      The vesicles fuse and the membrane is assembled (cell plate) and fuses with parent membrane.

•      After the new membranes are assembled, the cell wall is then laid down externally.