Unit 06 Cell

Reproduction: Mitosis and

Meiosis
Text Chapter 08

Cell Division in Living

Organisms
Cell division occurs in order to make new
body cells for growth and repair, and as
a part of reproduction.
Mitosis is a process in which new,
complete body cells are produced, and
sometimes used for asexual
reproduction.
Meiosis is a process is which sex cells,
egg and sperm, are produced as a part of
sexual reproduction.

Cell Division for

Reproduction
Asexual Reproduction

Sexual Reproduction

Single parent

Two parents: male and

female

Involves binary fission or mitosis

Involves meiosis for gamete

formation, then fertilization

Offspring (daughter cells) are

identical to each other

Offspring are genetic individuals

(with the exception of identical
twins)

Offspring are identical to the

parent cell

Offspring are a genetic blend of

the two parents

The Basic Structure of a Chromosome

Chromosomes are composed of

chromatin, a combination of DNA
and protein materials.
The long DNA molecules are
elaborately folded and wrapped
around protein histones, which
continue to coil into nulceosomes,
which help to organize the DNA into
chromosomes packages that can be
more easily divided during mitosis.

Chromosome
formation
Before The DNA can be
folded into chromosomes,
it must be replicated.
DNA duplication occurs
during the S phase of
Interphase.
The folding and coiling
occurs during G2
In the end, two sister
chromatids (each
representing one copy of
the DNA) are connected by
a centromere.

The Cell Cycle: Interphase and

Mitosis
The cell cycle
consists of the
following phases:
Interphase
G1
S phase
G2

Mitotic phases

Prophase
Metaphase
Anaphase
Telophase

Cytokinesis

Interphase
G1: normal cell
growth and
functioning
S phase: DNA
replication
G2: final preparations
for mitotic phases
coiling of
chromosome
begins

Phase of Mitosis: Prophase (Early and Late)

Centrioles appear in
animal cells at the
region called a
centrosome.
Chromosomes are
coiled and apparent
The nuclear envelope
begins to break apart.
Spindle fiber begins to
grow out from the
centrosomes and
attach to the
chromosomes at their
centromeres.

Phase of Mitosis: Metaphase and Anaphase

Metaphase
Mitotic spindle is fully
formed.
Chromosomes are lined up
at the metaphase plate
of the cell
Anaphase
Centromeres divide
Sister chromatids are
pulled apart, each
becoming an independent
chromosome.

Phase of Mitosis: Telophase

Chromosomes gather on
opposite sides of the cell.
New nuclear envelope
begins to forms around the
chromosomes
In animal cells, a cleavage
furrow forms.
In plant cells, a cell plate
forms.
Telophase ends with
cytokinesis, that actual
division of the cytoplasm
that results in two separate
cells.

Cytokinesis: Animal vs.

Plant Cells

Sexual Life Cycle: Mitosis and

Meiosis
Both meiosis and
mitosis are involved in
a sexual life cycle.
Meiosis produces the
gametes.
Fertilization of the
gametes produces a
zygote.
The zygote undergoes
mitosis until a mature
organism is formed

Homologous Chromosomes
Each human has 46 chromosomes
One set of 23 come from the fathers sperm cell,
and the other set of 23 from the mothers egg
cell
44 are autosomes, and 2 are the sex
chromosomes (that determine gender and are
related to sexual functioning).
The two sets are arranged in the karyotype as
homologous pairs
A homologous pair of chromosomes each has
influence over the same characteristics.

Human Karyotype: a Map of

Homologous Pairs of Chromosomes
Human Female
Karyotype

Human Male
Karyotype

Note the difference in the sex chromosomes: XX for

female, XY for male.

Diploid vs. Haploid, Somatic Cell vs.

Gamete
A cell that has both sets
of chromosomes is said
to be diploid, or 2n
A cell that has only one
set of chromosomes is
said to be haploid, or
1n
Normal body cells,
somatic cells, are
diploid
Sex cells, gametes, are
haploid

n = the ploidy number for each

organism, the number of
chromosomes in 1 set

Meiosis
The process of meiosis involves preparing
the DNA to be distributed equally among
four daughter cells as well as reduce
the the number chromosomes to produce
haploid gametes.
Two cells divisions are required.
Understanding the details of the process
also provides evidence for sources of
genetic variety in the offspring.

Overview of Meiosis I and Meiosis II

Interphase
Interphase of the parent
cell occurs just as
interphase prior to
mitosis.
Normal growth and
development occur,
followed by DNA
Replication and
chromosome
formation.

Meiosis I

Meiosis II

Mitosi
s vs.
Meiosi
s

Genetic Variation
Sexual reproduction provides greater
genetic variety in a population.
Genetic variety within a population provides
the raw material for natural selection.
If the environment changes, greater variety
will increase the chances that some members
will be adapted to the changes and survive.
Meiosis creates offspring that are genetically
different from their parents and siblings.

Sources of Genetic Variation

1. Random fertilization no
sperm is pre-destined for a
particular egg cell during the
fertilization process
2. Crossing-over during
prophase I when
homologous pairs attach to
each other at points called
chiasma. Often times,
section of chromosomes can
be exchanged for each
other, creating a single
chromosome with DNA from
each parent.
Crossing Over

Sources of Genetic Variation

(contd)
3. Independent
assortment of
homologous
chromosomes
during Metaphase
I. There is no
determined way
the chromosomes
will line up and be
distributed during
anaphase.

Nondisjunction Disorders
Nondisjuncti
on is a
problem that
sometimes
occurs during
meiosis I or II.
Gametes are
formed that
have either
missing or
extra
chromosomes.

Results of Nondisjunction
On the right see an
egg cell that has
an extra
chromosome.
After fertilization,
the zygote has a
homologous
chromosome
triplet instead of
the normal
homologous
chromosome pair.

Down Syndrome
Down
Syndrome
(also called
trisomy-21) is
a
nondisjunction
disorder that
results from a
triplet of the
21st
chromosome.