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Cell: Structure and Function - Cell Cycle and Cell Division (Mitosis and Meiosis)

Grade 11ICSEBiology

Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.

🔑Concepts

The Cell Cycle is divided into two main phases: Interphase (the preparatory phase) and MM-Phase (the division phase).

Interphase consists of three stages: G1G_1 phase (Gap 1), SS phase (Synthesis), and G2G_2 phase (Gap 2).

During the SS phase, DNA replication occurs. The DNA content doubles from 2C2C to 4C4C, but the chromosome number remains the same (2n2n).

Mitosis is called equational division because the chromosome number in daughter cells remains the same as the parent cell (2n2n2n \rightarrow 2n).

Mitosis stages include Prophase, Metaphase (chromosomes align at the equatorial plate), Anaphase (sister chromatids separate), and Telophase.

Meiosis is a reductional division occurring in germ cells, where one diploid (2n2n) cell produces four haploid (nn) daughter cells.

Meiosis I reduces the chromosome number (2nn2n \rightarrow n), while Meiosis II is similar to mitosis (nnn \rightarrow n).

Prophase I of Meiosis is prolonged and divided into: Leptotene, Zygotene (synapsis of homologous chromosomes), Pachytene (crossing over), Diplotene (chiasmata formation), and Diakinesis.

Crossing over occurs between non-sister chromatids of homologous chromosomes during the Pachytene stage, leading to genetic recombination.

Cytokinesis in animal cells occurs via a cleavage furrow (centripetal), while in plant cells, it occurs via cell plate formation (centrifugal).

📐Formulae

Number of cells after n mitotic divisions=2n\text{Number of cells after } n \text{ mitotic divisions} = 2^n

Number of generations (n) for N cells=log2N\text{Number of generations (n) for } N \text{ cells} = \log_2 N

Meiotic divisions for x seeds (plants)=x+x4\text{Meiotic divisions for } x \text{ seeds (plants)} = x + \frac{x}{4}

DNA content after S phase=4C (where 2C is initial content)\text{DNA content after } S \text{ phase} = 4C \text{ (where } 2C \text{ is initial content)}

Chromosome number after Meiosis I=n (where 2n is initial number)\text{Chromosome number after Meiosis I} = n \text{ (where } 2n \text{ is initial number)}

💡Examples

Problem 1:

A root tip cell of an onion has 2n=162n = 16 chromosomes. How many chromosomes will be present in the cell at (a) G1G_1 phase, (b) G2G_2 phase, and (c) daughter cells after mitosis?

Solution:

(a) 1616, (b) 1616, (c) 1616.

Explanation:

In mitosis, the chromosome number (2n2n) remains constant throughout the stages and in the resulting daughter cells. Although DNA doubles during the SS phase (between G1G_1 and G2G_2), the number of centromeres (chromosomes) does not change.

Problem 2:

Calculate the number of mitotic divisions required to produce 10241024 cells from a single parent cell.

Solution:

1010 divisions.

Explanation:

Using the formula 2n=N2^n = N, where N=1024N = 1024. 210=10242^{10} = 1024, therefore n=10n = 10.

Problem 3:

In a pea plant, how many meiotic divisions are required to produce 100100 seeds?

Solution:

125125 meiotic divisions.

Explanation:

To produce 100100 seeds, 100100 male gametes (pollen) and 100100 female gametes (ovules) are needed. 100100 pollen grains require 100/4=25100/4 = 25 meiotic divisions. 100100 ovules require 100100 meiotic divisions (since 3 out of 4 megaspores degenerate). Total = 100+25=125100 + 25 = 125 divisions.

Cell Cycle and Cell Division (Mitosis and Meiosis) Revision - Class 11 Biology ICSE