SCIENCE 8 (QUARTER 4 – WEEK 2) Prepared by: JOEL D.

RABANAL, Subject Teacher

CELL DIVISION
The cell Cycle, Mitosis and Meiosis
The cell cycle can be thought of as the life cycle of a cell. In other words, it is the series of growth and
development steps a cell undergoes between its “birth”— formation by the division of a mother cell—and
reproduction—division to make two new daughter cells.
Stages of the cell cycle
In eukaryotic cells, or cells with a nucleus, the stages of the cell cycle are divided into two major phases:
Interphase and the mitotic (M) phase.
During interphase, the cell grows and makes a copy of its DNA. During the mitotic (M) phase, the cell
separates its DNA into two sets and divides its cytoplasm, forming two new cells.
Interphase – The G_1, S, and G_2 phases together are known as interphase.
G_1 phase. During G_ phase, also called the first gap phase, the cell grows physically larger, copies
organelles, and makes the molecular building blocks it will need in later steps.
S phase. In S phase, the cell synthesizes a complete copy of the DNA in its nucleus. It also duplicates a
microtubule-organizing structure called the centrosome. The centrosomes help separate DNA during M phase.
G_2 phase. During the second gap phase, or G_2 phase, the cell grows more, makes proteins and
organelles, and begins to reorganize its contents in preparation for mitosis. G_2 phase ends when mitosis begins.
M phase. A nuclear division (mitosis) followed by a cell division (cytokinesis).

Where do Cells Come From?

Every day, every hour, every second one of the most important events in life is going on in your body—
cells are dividing. When cells divide, they make new cells. A single cell divides to make two cells and these two
cells then divide to make four cells, and so on. We call this process "cell division" and "cell reproduction," because
new cells are formed when old cells divide. The ability of cells to divide is unique for living organisms.

Why do Cells Divide?

Cells divide for many reasons. For example, when you skin your knee, cells divide to replace old, dead, or
damaged cells. Cells also divide so living things can grow. When organisms grow, it isn't because cells are getting
larger. Organisms grow because cells are dividing to produce more and more cells

How Cells Divide?

Depending on the type of cell, there are two ways cells divide—mitosis and meiosis. Each of these
methods of cell division has special characteristics. One of the key differences in mitosis is a single cell divides
into two cells that are replicas of each other and have the same number of chromosomes. This type of cell division
is good for basic growth, repair, and maintenance. In meiosis a cell divides into four cells that have half the
number of chromosomes. Reducing the number of chromosomes by half is important for sexual reproduction and
provides for genetic diversity

Mitosis Cell Division

Mitosis is a type of cell division in which one cell (the mother) divides to produce two new cells (the
daughters) that are genetically identical to itself. In the context of the cell cycle, mitosis is the part of the division
process in which the DNA of the cell's nucleus is split into two equal sets of chromosomes. Mitosis is how somatic—
or nonreproductive cells—divide. Somatic cells make up most of your body's tissues and organs, including skin,
muscles, lungs, gut, and hair cells. Reproductive cells (like eggs) are not somatic cells.

In mitosis, the important thing to remember is that the daughter cells each have the same chromosomes
and DNA as the parent cell. The daughter cells from mitosis are called diploid cells. Diploid cells have two complete
sets of chromosomes. Since the daughter cells have exact copies of their parent cell's DNA, no genetic diversity is
created through mitosis in normal healthy cells.

This happens in four phases, called prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase. Cytokinesis is the final
stage of cell division, during which the cytoplasm splits into two and two daughter cells form.

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SCIENCE 8 (QUARTER 4 – WEEK 2) Prepared by: JOEL D. RABANAL, Subject Teacher

Meiosis Cell Division

Meiosis is a form of cell division that produces haploid sex cells or gametes (which contain a single copy
of each chromosome) from diploid cells (which contain two copies of each chromosome).

The Meiosis Cell Cycle

Meiosis has two cycles of cell division, conveniently called Meiosis I and Meiosis II. Meiosis I halves the
number of chromosomes and is also when crossing over happens. Meiosis II halves the amount of genetic
information in each chromosome of each cell. The end result is four daughter cells called haploid cells. Haploid
cells only have one set of chromosomes - half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

Before meiosis I starts, the cell goes through interphase. Just like in mitosis, the parent cell uses this time
to prepare for cell division by gathering nutrients and energy and making a copy of its DNA. During the next stages
of meiosis, this DNA will be switched around during genetic recombination and then divided between four haploid
cells. So remember, Mitosis is what helps us grow and Meiosis is why we are all unique!

Meiosis I

In Meiosis I a special cell division reduces the cell from diploid to haploid.

Prophase I ➢ The homologous chromosomes pair and exchange DNA to form recombinant chromosomes.
Prophase I is divided into five phases:

Leptotene: chromosomes start to condense.

Zygotene: homologous chromosomes become closely associated (synapsis) to form pairs of chromosomes
(bivalents) consisting of four chromatids (tetrads).

Pachytene: crossing over between pairs of homologous chromosomes to form chiasmata (sing. chiasma).

Diplotene: homologous chromosomes start to separate but remain attached by chiasmata.

Diakinesis: homologous chromosomes continue to separate, and chiasmata move to the ends of the
chromosomes.

Prometaphase I ➢ Spindle apparatus formed, and chromosomes attached to spindle fibres by kinetochores.

Metaphase I ➢ Homologous pairs of chromosomes (bivalents) arranged as a double row along the metaphase
plate. The arrangement of the paired chromosomes with respect to the poles of the spindle apparatus is random
along the metaphase plate.

Anaphase I ➢ The homologous chromosomes in each bivalent are separated and move to the opposite poles of
the cell

Telophase I ➢ The chromosomes become diffuse and the nuclear membrane reforms.

Cytokinesis - The final cellular division to form two new cells, followed by Meiosis II. Meiosis I is a reduction
division: the original diploid cell had two copies of each chromosome; the newly formed haploid cells have one
copy of each chromosome.

Meiosis II

Meiosis II separates each chromosome into two chromatids.

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SCIENCE 8 (QUARTER 4 – WEEK 2) Prepared by: JOEL D. RABANAL, Subject Teacher
The events of Meiosis II are analogous to those of a mitotic division, although the number of chromosomes
involved has been halved.

Meiosis generates genetic diversity through:

➢ the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during Meiosis I

➢ the random alignment of maternal and paternal chromosomes in Meiosis I

➢ the random alignment of the sister chromatids at Meiosis II

Meiosis II

Prophase II

Now there are two daughter cells, each with 23 chromosomes (23 pairs of chromatids)

➢ In each of the two daughter cells the chromosomes condense again into visible X-shaped structures that can be
easily seen under a microscope. The membrane around the nucleus in each daughter cell dissolves away releasing
the chromosomes.

➢ The centrioles duplicate, the meiotic spindle forms again.

Metaphase II

➢ In each of the two daughter cells the chromosomes (pair of sister chromatids) line up end-to-end along the
equator of the cell.

➢ The centrioles are now at opposite poles in each of the daughter cells

➢ Meiotic spindle fibers at each pole of the cell attach to each of the sister chromatids

Anaphase II

➢ The sister chromatids are then pulled to opposite poles due to the action of the meiotic spindle

➢ The separated chromatids are now individual chromosomes

Telophase II and Cytokinesis

➢ The chromosomes complete their move to the opposite poles of the cell.

➢ At each pole of the cell a full set of chromosomes gather together.

➢ A membrane forms around each set of chromosomes to create two new cell nuclei.

➢ Once cytokinesis is complete there are four daughter cells, each with half a set of chromosomes (haploid)

ASSESSMENT:
Direction: Read each question carefully, then choose the best answer. Write your answer on a separate sheet of
paper.
1. In what stage of cell cycle does DNA synthesis take place?
A. G1 B. G2 C. M phase D. S phase

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SCIENCE 8 (QUARTER 4 – WEEK 2) Prepared by: JOEL D. RABANAL, Subject Teacher
2. In which stage of the cell cycle is the longest?
A. Anaphase B. Cytokinesis C. Interphase D. Prophase
3. In what form of cell division results in the production of gametes or sex cells?
A. Meiosis B. Miosis C. Mitosis D. None of these
4. During which stage of mitosis does the nuclear envelope begins to disappear?
A. Anaphase B. Interphase C. Metaphase D. Prophase
5. How many daughter cells are produced after mitosis cell division?
A. 8 B. 6 C. 4 D. 2
6. During meiosis, when does crossing over occur?
A. Prophase I B. Anaphase I C. Prophase II D. Anaphase II
7. If mitosis takes one (1) round of cell division, meiosis takes how many round/s of cell division?
A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4
8. Which of the following stages pairing up of homologous chromosomes happen?
A. Prophase B. Prophase I C. Prophase II D. Late Prophase
9. Which among the major events happen in metaphase of mitosis and metaphase II of meiosis?
A. The chromosomes align themselves along the metaphase plate.
B. Homologous chromosomes align themselves along the metaphase plate.
C. Chromosomes are attached to the spindle fibers through the kinetochore.
D. Sister chromatids separated from each other and pulled on the opposite poles.
10. How many daughter cells are produced by mitosis and meiosis respectively?
A. mitosis-1; meiosis-2 B. mitosis-2; meiosis-2
C. mitosis-2; meiosis-4 D. mitosis-4; meiosis-4
11. Which of the following is the main purpose of meiosis?
A. Growth of cells. B. Produce haploid sex cells. C. Repair of body tissues. D. Produce diploid body cells.
12. What is the CORRECT order of the stages of mitosis?
I- Metaphase II- Telophase III- Anaphase IV- Prophase
A. I, II, III, IV B. IV, III, II, I C. IV, I, III, II D. III, I, IV, III
13. Which of the following happens during both meiosis and mitosis?
A. Crossing over B. Sister chromatids separate
C. Homologous chromosomes separate D. Alignment of homologous chromosomes
14. During which stage of meiosis do the sister chromatids begin to move toward the poles?
A. Anaphase II B. Metaphase II C. Prophase II D. Telophase II
15. How does meiosis maintain the number of chromosomes in an organism?
A. It decreases the chromosome number in half. B. It reduces the chromosome number in ¼.
C. It maintains the chromosome number of the organism. D. None of these