Chapter-10
Cell Cycle and Cell Division
- Points to Remember
- Cell Cycle : The sequence of events by which a cell duplicates its genome, synthesies the other constituents of the cell and eventually divides into two daughte cell.
Interphase : (Resting Phase)
- G 1 Phase : Cell metabolically active and grows continuously but does not replicate DNA.
- S Phase : DNA synthesies occurs, DNA content increase from 2C, to 4C, but the number of chormosomes remains same i.e., 2n.
- G1 Phase : Proteins are synthesised in preparation for mitosis while cell growth continues.
- M Phase (Mitosis Phase) : Starts with nuclaer division, corresponding to separation of daughter chormosomes (karyokinesis) and usually ends with division of cytoplasm, (cytokinesis).
- Quiescent stage (G 0) : In adult animal cells that do not divide and exit G 1 phase to enter an inactive stage called G 0. Cells at this stage remain metabolically active but do not proliferate.
- e.g., Heart Cells
Mitosis
- Since the number of chormosomes in the parent and progeny cells is the same, it is called as equational division. Mitosis is divided into four sub stages.
- 1. Prophase :
- (i) Replicated chormosomes, each consisting of 2 chromatids, condense and become visisble.
- (ii) Microtubles are assembled inot mitotic spindle.
- (iii) Nucelus and nuclear envelope disappear.
- (iv) Centriole moves to opposite poles.
- 2. Metaphase :
- (i) Spindle fibres attached to kinetochores (small disc-shaped structure at the surface of centromere) of chormosomes.
- (ii) Chromosomes line up at the equator of the spindle to form mataphase plate.
- 3. Anaphase :
- (i) Centromeres split and chromatids separate.
- (ii) Chromatids move to opposite poles due to shortening of spindle fibres.
- 4. Telophase :
- (i) Chromosomes cluster at opposite poles.
- (ii) Nuclear envelope assembles around chromosomes clusters.
- (iii) Nucelus, Golgi Complex, E.R. reforms.
- Cytokinesis : The division of protoplast of a cell into two daughter cells after karyokinesis (nuclear division)
- Animal Cytokinesis : Appearance of furrow in plasma membrane which deepens and joins in the center, dividing cell cytoplasm into two.
- Plant Cytokinesis : Formation of new wall begins with the formation of a simple precursor - cell plate which represents the middle lamella between the walls of tow adjacent cells.
- When karyokinesis is not followed by cytokinesis, a multinucleated condition arises, This is called Syncytium.
Significance of Mitosis :
- 1. Growth-addition of cells.
- 2. Maintain of surface/ volume ratio. Maintain Nucelus-cytoplasmic ratio.
- 3. Maintenance of chromosomes number.
- 4. Regeneration.
- 5. Reproduction in unicellular organisms, lower plants and some insects.
- 6. Repair and wound healing.
- 7. Vegetative reproduction in plants takes place by mitosis.
Meiosis :
- Specialised kind of cell division that reduces the chromosomesnumber by half. Hence it is called reductional division.
- Occurs during gametogenesis in plants and animals.
- Involves two sequential cycles of nuclear and cell division called Meiosis I and Meiosis II.
- It results in 4 haploid daughter cells.
- Interphase occurs prior to meiosis which is similar to interphase of mitosis except the S phase is prolonged.
Meiosis I :
- Prophase I : Subdivided into 5 phases.
- Chromosomes make their apperaance as single stranded structures.
- Compaction of chormosomes continues.
- Homologous chromosomes start pairing and this process of association is called synapsis.
- Chromosomal synapsis is accompained by formation of Synaptonemal complex.
- Complex formed by a pari of synapsed homologous chormosomes is called bivalent or tetrad.
- Chromosomes are fully condensed and meiotic spindles assembled.
- Nucleolus disapper and nuclaer envelope breaks down.
- Microtubles from opposite poles of the spindle attach to the pair of homologous chromosomes.
- (i) Leptotene :
- (ii) Zygotene :
- (iii) Pachytene : Crossing over occurs between non-sister chromatids of homologous chromosomes. The enzymes involved in the process is 'recombinase'. Recombination between homologous chromosomes is completed. Exchange of genetic material.
- (iv) Diplotene : Dissolution of synaptonemal complex occurs and the recombined chromosomes separate from each other except at the sites of crossing over. These X-shaped structures are called Chiasmata. In oocytes of some vertebrates diplotene can last for month or years.
- (v) Diakinesis : Terminalisation of Chiasmata.
- Metaphase I : Bivalent chromosomes align on the equational plate.
- Anaphase I : Homologous chromosomes, separate while chromatids remain associated at their centromeres.
Telophase I :
- Nuclear membrane and nucleus reappear.
- Cytokinesis follows (dyad of cells).
- Interkinesis : Stage between two meiotic division, (meiosis I and meiosis II) generally short lived, No replication of DNA during this.
- Meiosis II : (It resembles the normal mitosis).
Prophase II :
- Nuclear membrane disappears.
- Chromosomes again become compact.
- Metaphase II
- Chromosomes align at the equator.
- Microtubles form opposite poles of spindle get attached to kinetochores of sister chromatids.
- Anaphase II
- Simultaneous splitting of the centromere of each chormosomes, allowing them to move towards opposite poles of the cell, by shortening of micortubles attached to kinetochores.
- Telophase II
- Two gruop of chromosomes get enclosed by nuclaer envelope.
- Cytokinesis follows resulting in the formation of tetrad of cells i.e., 4 haploid cells.
Significance of Meiosis
- 1. Formation of gametes : In sexually reproducing organisms.
- 2. Genetic variability : Variations are very important for evolution.
- 3. Maintenance of chromosomal number : By reducing the chromosomes number in gametes. Chromosomal number is restored by fertilisation of gametes.