Cell Division Overview Quiz

Study Notes

All cells originate from pre-existing cells, ensuring continuity of life.
New cells are created for growth and to replace damaged or aging cells.
Cell division processes vary significantly between prokaryotes (bacteria) and eukaryotes (organisms such as protists, fungi, plants, and animals).

DNA contains instructions for building cell components; thus, it must be fully replicated for new cells.
Each new cell inherits an identical set of DNA from its predecessor through replication before division.

Prokaryotes possess a single, circular chromosome located inside the cell membrane.
Eukaryotic cells store genetic material in chromosomes, with most species having between 10 and 50 chromosomes.
Human cells contain 46 chromosomes, arranged as 23 homologous pairs.
Chromosomes consist of tightly coiled DNA molecules, which condense into visible structures only during cell division; in non-dividing cells, DNA is in the form of chromatin.

DNA is wrapped around histone proteins to form nucleosomes, facilitating tight packing into chromosomes.
Duplicated chromosomes during division are known as chromatids, connected by a centromere.
A karyotype is an organized profile of an individual's chromosomes, highlighting 22 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes (XX for females and XY for males).

Asexual reproduction produces two identical daughter cells from a single parent cell; examples include mitosis and binary fission.
Sexual reproduction involves the combining of two gametes (egg and sperm) to form a unique zygote; meiosis exemplifies this process.

Prokaryotic cells undergo binary fission, cloning themselves to produce two identical cells.
The process includes duplicating the single chromosome and forming a cell wall to separate the two copies.

G1 (Gap 1): Primary growth phase where cells mature, increasing cytoplasm and organelle count, while performing routine metabolic functions.
S (Synthesis): DNA replication phase where genetic material is copied in preparation for division.
G2 (Gap 2): Secondary growth phase following DNA synthesis to prepare all necessary components and organelles for mitosis.
M (Mitosis): Process of nuclear division.
C (Cytokinesis): Division of the cell cytoplasm, resulting in two daughter cells.

Mitosis is the eukaryotic nuclear division process and consists of four distinct stages.
Not all cells divide; for example, certain neuron cells remain in a non-dividing state.

Prophase: Chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes; spindle apparatus begins formation.
Metaphase: Chromosomes align at the cell equator, attached to spindle fibers.
Anaphase: Sister chromatids abruptly separate and are pulled to opposite cell poles.
Telophase: Chromatids reach poles, nuclear envelopes reform, nucleoli reappear, and chromosomes de-condense back into chromatin.

The final step that divides the cytoplasm into two daughter cells, each with an identical set of chromosomes.
In plant cells, a cell plate forms at the equator; in animal cells, a cleavage furrow develops to separate the cells.

The resulting daughter cells have the same chromosome number as both each other and the original parent cell.
Although genetically identical, daughters are initially smaller and must grow through G1 in interphase to mature.