Mitosis

When Do Cells Divide?

Cells grow, divide and die.
Old skin cells die, are shed and get replaced.
New skin cells are grown to heal cuts.
Intestines produce millions of new cells each day.
One cell at fertilization becomes a multi-celled organism by birth.

Reproduction
Parents produce a new generation of cells or multicelled individuals
like themselves
Parents must provide daughter cells with hereditary instructions,
encoded in DNA, and enough metabolic machinery to start up their
own operation

Chromosome Replication
A DNA molecule can copy, or replicate itself
The chromosome is duplicated in preparation for mitosis

Chromosome Number
Sum total of chromosomes in a cell

Somatic cells (all cells but sex cells)

Chromosome number is diploid (2n)
Two of each type of chromosome

Gametes (sex cells)

Chromosome number is haploid (n)
One of each chromosome type

Human Chromosome Number

Diploid chromosome number (2n) = 46
Two sets of 23 chromosomes each
One set from father
One set from mother

Mitosis produces cells with 46 chromosomes--two of each type

Maintaining Chromosome Number

Cell Cycle
Sequence of growth of a cell

2 General Periods
1. Growth = Interphase
2. Division = Mitosis
CELL CYCLE

The Cell Cycle (22 hour example)

Interphase
The cell is engaged in metabolic activity and preparing for mitosis.
Chromosomes are not clearly visible in the nucleus, although a dark
spot called the nucleolus may be visible.
Usually longest part of the cycle
Cell increases in mass
DNA is duplicated

Interphase has 3 parts:

G1  Cell grows in size  protein production high

S  Cell copies chromosomes (DNA synthesis is limited to this time of

interphase)

G2  Shorter period of growth

Interphase
During interphase, chromosomes are unwound
When chromosomes are unwound they are called chromatin

Stopping the Cycle

Some cells normally stop in interphase
Neurons in human brain
Arrested cells do not divide
Adverse conditions can stop cycle
Nutrient-deprived amoebas get stuck in interphase

Control of the Cycle

Once S begins, the cycle automatically runs through G2 and mitosis
The cycle has a built-in molecular brake in G1
Cancer involves a loss of control over the cycle, malfunction of the
“brakes”

Control of the Cell Cycle

Enzymes
Some trigger progression
Some trigger inhibition
Failure to produce certain enzymes can cause cell death or cancer
Production of enzymes is directed by genes found on chromosomes
Gene: segment of DNA on chromosomes that controls production of a
protein: enzymes are proteins

Contact Inhibition
Factor in cell cycle
Type of cell communication
Communicates by producing & secreting chemical signals
When changes occur in the genetic controls of these chemicals, cancer
can result

Cancer
Changes in 1 or more genes that control enzyme production
Form masses of tissue called tumors that deprive normal cells of
nutrients
2nd leading cause of death

Causes
Genetic & environmental factors
Cancer types associated with various countries
Infections (viruses)
Damage to genes from smoking, pollution, radiation etc.