Cell: Structure and Function - Cell Cycle and Cell Division (Mitosis and Meiosis)
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 -Phase (the division phase).
Interphase consists of three stages: phase (Gap 1), phase (Synthesis), and phase (Gap 2).
During the phase, DNA replication occurs. The DNA content doubles from to , but the chromosome number remains the same ().
Mitosis is called equational division because the chromosome number in daughter cells remains the same as the parent cell ().
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 () cell produces four haploid () daughter cells.
Meiosis I reduces the chromosome number (), while Meiosis II is similar to mitosis ().
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
💡Examples
Problem 1:
A root tip cell of an onion has chromosomes. How many chromosomes will be present in the cell at (a) phase, (b) phase, and (c) daughter cells after mitosis?
Solution:
(a) , (b) , (c) .
Explanation:
In mitosis, the chromosome number () remains constant throughout the stages and in the resulting daughter cells. Although DNA doubles during the phase (between and ), the number of centromeres (chromosomes) does not change.
Problem 2:
Calculate the number of mitotic divisions required to produce cells from a single parent cell.
Solution:
divisions.
Explanation:
Using the formula , where . , therefore .
Problem 3:
In a pea plant, how many meiotic divisions are required to produce seeds?
Solution:
meiotic divisions.
Explanation:
To produce seeds, male gametes (pollen) and female gametes (ovules) are needed. pollen grains require meiotic divisions. ovules require meiotic divisions (since 3 out of 4 megaspores degenerate). Total = divisions.