Department of Biology

CELL CYCLE AND

CELL DIVISION

CHAPTER 10
 LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
The forthcoming discussion will encompass the following topics:

• Cell cycle

• M Phase

• Meiosis

• Significance of mitosis and meiosis

 INTRODUCTION
Have you ever wondered how living organisms grow, repair
themselves, or reproduce? The answer lies in the process of
cell division.

Simply put, a cell cycle is a series of events that takes place

in a cell as it grows and divides.
Cell division is the process by which a cell divides into two
or more daughter cells.

All living things, from the tiniest bacteria to the tallest

redwood tree, depend on this fundamental mechanism for
growth and development.
 CELL DIVISION
Cell division is the process by which a single cell divides into
two or more daughter cells, each with the potential to grow,
develop, and carry out specific functions.

It is a fundamental process in biology that is essential for the growth,

repair, and reproduction of living organisms.
The sequence of events by which a cell duplicates its genome and
devices into two daughter cells is termed as cell cycle

Cell division can occur through two main mechanisms:

mitosis, which produces two identical daughter cells, and
meiosis, which produces four genetically diverse daughter
cells.
 MITOSIS MEIOSIS
Mitosis is the process by which a single cell Meiosis is the process by which a single cell
divides into two identical daughter cells. This divides into four daughter cells, each with half
type of division is essential for growth and the number of chromosomes of the parent cell.
repair in multicellular organisms, as well as Meiosis is critical for sexual reproduction, as it
for asexual reproduction in some single-celled allows for the production of gametes.
organisms.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF MITOSIS

Mitosis produces two The major purpose of Mitosis occurs only in There is no reduction in
genetically identical mitosis is for growth somatic cells, which the number of
daughter cells from a and to replace worn-out are all the cells in the chromosomes during
single parent cell. cells. body except for the mitosis.
reproductive cells.
IMPORTANCE
• GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
Mitosis is essential for the growth and development of multicellular organisms. It allows cells
to divide and multiply, leading to the formation of tissues, organs, and organ systems.

• REPAIR & MAINTENANCE

When tissues are damaged, such as in the case of a cut or injury, mitosis allows for the
replacement of the damaged cells with new, healthy cells.

• ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION
In some organisms, mitosis allows for the production of genetically identical daughter cells,
ensuring that the offspring are identical to the parent cell.
 VOCABS TO REMEMBER

SPLIT CHROMOSOME
CELL CHROMOSOME

A cell is the basic unit of life A chromosome that has A chromosome is a structure
and the smallest functional and undergone a structural change, found in the nucleus of cells that
structural unit of living resulting in the separation of carries genetic information in the
organisms. the chromosome form of DNA.
 VOCABS TO REMEMBER

SPINDLE
CENTROSOME CENTRIOLES
FIBERS

A centrosome is a small organelle The spindle fibers are Centrioles are cylindrical
found in eukaryotic cells, which microtubules that separates the organelles found in eukaryotic
functions as a microtubule- chromosomes into two cells that are involved in the
organizing center. daughter cells. organization of cell division.
STAGES OF
MITOSIS
STAGES OF MITOSIS :

• PROPHASE
• METAPHASE
• ANAPHASE
• TELOPHASE
• CYTOKINESIS
MITOSIS: Chromosome

PROPHASE
• During prophase, the chromatin in the nucleus condenses into
visible chromosomes, which become visible under a
microscope.

• The centrosomes, which are responsible for organizing the

spindle fibers, move to opposite poles of the cell.

• The nuclear envelope breaks down, allowing the spindle

fibers to attach to the chromosomes.
Centrosome
 MITOSIS:
Spindle Fibers

METAPHASE
• During metaphase, the chromosomes line up along
the equator of the cell, called the metaphase plate.

• The spindle fibers, which are attached to the

centromeres of each chromosome, ensure that the
chromosomes are properly aligned and can be
Metaphase Plate separated correctly.

Centrosome
 Spindle Fibers

MITOSIS:
ANAPHASE
• During this stage, the sister chromatids of each
replicated chromosome separate and are pulled
towards opposite poles of the cell by the spindle
fibers.

• This results in the formation of two identical sets of

chromosomes at opposite poles of the cell.

Sister Chromatids
Chromosome

MITOSIS:
TELOPHASE
• During telophase, the chromosomes reach the
opposite poles of the cell, and the nuclear envelope
begins to reform around each set of chromosomes.

• The chromosomes begin to uncoil and return to their

normal, diffuse form. The spindle fibers disassemble,
and the cell begins to prepare for cytokinesis.

Centrosome
MITOSIS:
CYTOKINESIS
• Cytokinesis is the process by which the cell divides into two
daughter cells.

• In animal cells, a contractile ring of actin and myosin

filaments forms around the cell, contracting and pinching the
cell membrane until the cell is divided into two separate cells.

• In plant cells, a structure called the cell plate forms along the
equator of the cell, eventually dividing the cell into two
separate daughter cells.
Contractile Ring
STAGES OF
MEIOSIS
 MEIOSIS I:
PROPHASE I Centrosome

• Prophase of the first meiotic division is typically longer and

more complex when compared to prophase of mitosis. It’s further

subdivided into the following five phases based on chromosomal

behaviour, i.e.,

-Leptotene
-Zygotene
-Pachytene
-Diplotene
-Diakinesis
• Leptotene: In this stage, the initiation of chromosome condensation takes
place and it attains a composite form.
• Zygotene: In this, the homologous chromosomes pairs, the process is
called chromosomal synapsis. It is followed by the generation of a
composite composition called the synaptonemal complex.
• Pachytene: In this stage, the crossing over of non-sister chromatids of
homologous chromosomes takes place. The chromosomes stay associated
at the crossing-over sites.
• Diplotene: It marks the synaptonemal complex dissolution and separation
of the homologous chromosomes except at the crossing over sites. The
formation of X-shaped compositions takes place at the time of separation
called chiasmata.
• Diakinesis: It is signified by the end of chiasmata and assembly of the
meiotic spindle to distinguish the homologous chromosomes. The
disappearance of nucleolus takes place and the nuclear envelope
dissociates.
MEIOSIS I:
METAPHASE I Chromosome

• During metaphase I of meiosis I, tetrads that were previously formed

during prophase I have spindle fibers extending from centrioles
attached to opposite ends.
• The spindle fibers then line the tetrads up along an equatorial plane
within the middle of the cell.
• These tetrads will later be split into their homologous pairs of
chromosomes and brought to opposite ends of the cell during
anaphase I.

Spindle fibres
MEIOSIS I:
ANAPHASE I

• Anaphase I begins when homologous chromosomes

separate.
• The nuclear envelope reforms and nucleoli reappear.
• The chromosomes coil up, the nuclear membrane begins to
disintegrate, and the centrosomes begin moving apart.
• Spindle fibers form and sister chromatids align to the
equator of the cell.

Sister Chromatids
MEIOSIS I:
TELOPHASE I

• The separation of homologous chromosomes into individual

nuclei.
• The reformation of the nuclear envelope, which consists of
an exterior and interior membrane that act as a barrier
between a cell's cytoplasm and nucleus.

Cytokinesis
RESOURCE PAGE