CELL DVISION, MITOSIS
AND MIOSIS
DR TABOWEI LUTHER UGOCHUKWU
LECTURER
NIGER DELTA UNIVERSITY
SYNOPSIS
CELL CYCLE
CHROMOSOME
STRUCTURE OF CHROMOSEME
CELL DIVISION
Cell cycle
Cell cycle is a coordinated sequence of cellular event that result in cell growth
and cell division to produce daughter cells. It generally last for a minimum of
twelve hours, but in most adult tissue may be longer
Each of the daughter cells contain chromosomes identical to the parents cell.
It is divided into four(4) distinct phases:
First gap(G1) phase
Synthetic phase(S)
Second gap(G2) phase
Mitotic(M) phase
Diagram showing a cell cycle
Image adapted from molecular and
cell biology by lordish, sixth edition
Cell cycle(contd)
the period during the interphase when DNA replication occur is termed
the synthetic or S phase. In the synthetic centrioles and chromosome
duplicate.
In the first Gap or G1 phase cells differentiate and perform their
specialized functions as part of the whole tissue.
CHROMOSOME
• CHROMOSOME: Chromosome are thread-like structures located in the
nuclei of cells. Each chromosome is made up of one molecule of
deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) coiled tightly many times around proteins
called histones.
• Chromosomes are not visible in the nucleus of cells, even under the
microscope, but during cell division the DNA of the chromosome becomes
condensed (more tightly packed) and is then visible under the
microscope.
Structure of Chromosome
• Each chromosome has a constriction point called the Centromere that hold
together two identical chromatids.
• The centromere divides the chromosome into two sections –the shorter
arm is known as ‘’petit’’ or P –arm and the longer harm called the q –arm
• Based on the position of the centromere, chromosomes are grouped into
Metacentric, submetacentric and acrocentric
• Metacentric chromosomes-the position of the centromere is ½ the length of
the chromosome
• Submetacentric–when the position of the centromere is 1/3 the length of
the chromosome
STRUCTURE OF CHROMOSOME(Adapted from
U.S. National library of Medicine)
Structure of Chromosome(contd)
• Acrocentric–Centromere is positioned at the end of the chromosome
with no p-arm
• Telomere is a specialised sequence of DNA attached at the terminal
end of chromosome. It seals the chromosome end to prevent fusion
with other chromosomes
• The centromere in addition to holding the chromatids together, also
provide site for anchorage for the spindle apparatus
Chromosome(contd)
• As the genetic material passes from the parents to the offspring during
reproduction, the chromosomes are responsible for containing the instructions
(genes) that make the offspring unique while still carrying traits from the
parents.
• Humans have between 20,000 t0 25,000 genes on 46 chromosomes which
appear as 23 homologous pairs. There are 22 pairs of autosomes in somatic cells
and 1 pair of sex chromosome. Each set of 23 chromosomes is called a haploid
set and when a cell has 2 complete sets, it is described as diploid
• A karyotype is a display of chromosomes ordered from 1 –22 pairs plus a sex
chromosome with each chromosome oriented so that the p –arm is on top.
Females have 46XX karyotype and males have 46XY karyotype
A sample of a
Karyotype
Courtesy of the Applied Imaging International Ltd.,
Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom Courtesy of Dr. Robert B. Jenkins.
MITOSIS AND MEIOSIS
• Cell division is a process by which a parent cell divides into two or more
daughter cells.
• There are two distinct types of cell division –Mitosis and Meiosis, but with
several common features.
• Between two successive cell division is a period of rest known as
interphase. During the interphase preceding cell division, the DNA of each
chromosome is duplicated in both mitosis and meiosis. Thus, each
chromosome has two identical chromatids joined at the centromere.
• See figure 2 in next slide
Figure 2. A cell in Interphase stage of cell
division (Adapted from Campbell Biology)
Mitosis
• Mitosis is a process by which a parent cell divides to produce two daughter
cells that are genetically identical to each other and to the parent cell
• The process consist of six stages –Prophase, Pro-metaphase, Metaphase,
Anaphase, Telophase and cytokinesis
1.Prophase: Two identical chromatids start to shortened and thickened
(condensed) and become barely visible as chromosomes within the nucleus. In
addition, a spindle apparatus of tubulin fibres start to assemble
2.Pro-metaphase: The nuclear membrane dissociates, centriole divides and
each half begins to move to each pole, tubulin fibres enter the nucleus and
attached at the kinetochore that has formed around the centromere. The
chromosomes are more distinguishable
Diagram of prophase stage of mitosis
(Adapted from Campbell Biology)
Diagram of prometaphase stage of mitosis
(Adapted from Campbell Biology)
Mitosis(contd)
3. Metaphase: The chromosomes are at their most condensed state and
tension in the spindle fibres cause the chromosomes to line up along the
metaphase plate
4. Anaphase: Sister chromatids now begin to separate and are drawn to
opposite poles by the tubulin fibres
5. Telophase: Nuclear membrane begins to assemble around the separated
chromatids (chromosome) as they arrived at the spindle pole. Chromatin
starts to decondensed and become more diffused
6. Cytokinesis: Cleavage of the cell membrane occurs to form two separate
daughter cells. The daughter cells are genetically identical to the parent
cell.
Metaphase stage of mitosis(Adapted
from Campbell Biology)
Anaphase and Telophase/Cytokinesis stage
of mitosis (Adapted from Campbell Biology)
MEIOSIS
• This is the type of cell division that takes place in the germ cells
to produce male and female gametes (Sperm and Ovum)
• Meiosis consist of two successive rounds of cell division
(meiosis I and meiosis II) and result to the formation of four
daughter cells each containing 23 chromosomes that are
genetically different
• Just like mitosis, the process of meiosis is preceded by
Interphase. This is followed by meiosis I (Reduction division)
which has 4 stages –prophase I, metaphase I, Anaphase I and
Telophase I
Diagram showing some key terms in Meiosis
(Adapted from Bradley Schaefer)
Meiosis I(contd)
• Prophase I of first meiosis is lengthy and is subdivided into several
sequential steps:
• 1.Leptotene–the chromosomes becomes barely visible as long thin
structures
• 2.Zygotene–homologous pairs of chromosomes from each haploid set
come to lie side by side along parts of their length forming tetrads
• 3.Pachytene-the chromosomes start to shorten and thicken and become
more closely contacted in pairs along their entire length. During this time
synapsis, crossing over and chromatids exchange take place and the
nucleoli disappear
• 4.Diplotene/Diakinesis –the chromosomes becomes more shorten
Diagram showing stages of prophase 1
(Adapted from Bradley Schaefer)
Meiosis I (contd)
• The paired homologous chromosomes show evidence of crossing-over
and chromatid exchange and display characteristic Chiasmata
• Metaphase I: the nuclear membrane breaks down and homologous pairs
of chromosomes are aligned on the equator of the spindle apparatus
• Anaphase I: homologous chromosomes move in opposite direction toward
the two poles
• Telophase I: cytokinesis occur. Nuclear membrane may temporarily be re-
formed, yielding two daughter cells, each with half the number of
chromosomes (haploid cells), but each chromosome consisting of two
genetically unique chromatids
Meiosis II
• In meiosis II, there is no replication of DNA, but another
round of prophase, pro-metaphase, metaphase, anaphase,
telophase and cytokinesis takes place. These stages occur
much in the same way as in mitosis
• The end result of meiosis II is the production of four (4)
haploid daughter cells, each containing 23 1n
chromosomes
• Unlike the cells in mitosis, these daughter cells are
genetically unique and different from the parent cells
Meiosis(contd)
• The sequence of events during Spermatogenesis and Oogenesis is basically the
same. However, few differences occur.
• In males, the process of meiosis is initiated at puberty (onset of
spermatogenesis) and completed without arrest. The 4 spermatids formed after
meiosis undergo cytodifferentiation to eventually become Spermatozoa
• In the females, meiosis is initiated in the foetus (around 12 weeks), Primary
oocytes are arrested at the diplotene stage of prophase I until LH surge at
ovulation initiates metaphase I.
• After completion of meiosis I, the primary oocyte becomes secondary oocyte in
which one nucleus forms the first polar body that degenerates without further
division.
• Meiosis continues and is arrested again at metaphase II until it is fertilized by a
sperm cell when the final meiotic division is completed
SIMILARITIES BETWEEN MITOSIS AND MEIOSIS
• In both mitosis and meiosis, there is need to
duplicate the entire chromosome content prior to
cell division
• Both types uses the cell machinery of the parent cell
to make the DNA, RNA and new proteins that will
participate in the cell division
• Both processes rely on using the mitotic spindle to
separate the chromosomes into the two poles of the
cell
Major differences between mitosis and meiosis
MITOSIS MEIOSIS
1.Occurs in somatic cells Occurs in germ cells
2.Takes about an hour to complete the process and no In females, it begins at 12 weeks gestation and arrest at 20
difference b/w sexes in respect to age of commencement wks( at diplotene of prophase 1). 1stmeiotic division is
completed at ovulation and 2ndmeiotic division is
completed at fertilization. Males begin at puberty and is
not arrested
3. Chromosomes do not pair Homologous chromosomes pair
4. Usually, no recombination takes place Recombination always takes place
5. No change in chromosome number Chromosome number always reduced to one of each pair
(haploid set in each daughter cell, n = 23
6. One round of DNA replication; one cell division One round of DNA replication, two cells divisions produce
produces two identical daughter cells four genetically different daughter cells.
7. No change in gene content All daughter cells will be genetically different, due to
segregation of chromosomes pairs and recombination
between homologous chromosome
