Cell Division, Cell Diversity and Cellular Organisation Flashcards
(89 cards)
Cell Cycle: What is the cell cycle?
The cell cycle is the process that all body cells from multicellular organisms use to grow and divide. It starts when a cell has been produced by cell division and ends with the cell dividing to produce two identical cells. The cell cycle consists of a period of cell growth and DNA replication, called interphase, a period of cell division called mitosis.
Cell Cycle: What are the stages of the cell cycle?
- Mitosis
- Interphase
- Gap phase 1
- Synthesis
- Gap phase 2
Cell Cycle: What is the mitosis stage?
The cycle starts and ends here and is when the nucleus divides and chromatids separate, after this is cytokinesis, when the cytoplasm divides or cleaves.
-Mitosis only occupies a small percentage of the cell cycle and the remaining percentage includes the copying and checking of genetic information. as well as processes associated with growth.
Cell Cycle: What is interphase?
During interphase, the cell carries out normal functions, but also prepares to divide. The cell’s DNA is unravelled and replicated, to double its genetic content. The organelles are also replicated so it has spare ones and its ATP content is increased.
Cell Cycle: What is the G1 phase?
Gap phase 1: Biosynthesis - cell grows, organelles replicate and new organelles and proteins are made
Cell Cycle: What is the S phase?
Synthesis: cell replicates its DNA and checks the DNA for errors
Cell Cycle: What is the G2 phase?
Gap phase 2: cell keeps growing and proteins needed for cell division are made
Cell Cycle: How long does the cell cycle take?
The length of time for a parent cell to divide into two daughter cells, and for each to grow to full size, varies between species and cell type. It is also affected by the availability of nutrients for the cells.
-Some prokaryotic cells can go through the whole process in around 30 minutes, whereas yeast cells (single-celled eukaryotes) take about 4 hours.
Where is DNA held?
Chromosomes are in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. Each chromosome contains one molecule of DNA, which includes specific lengths of DNA called genes. So the chromosomes that hold the instructions are sometimes called the blueprint, for making new cells. The daughter cells produced during the cell cycle mist contain a copy of all of these instructions s they must contain a full set of chromosomes, copied exactly from the chromosomes in the parent cell.
How many chromosomes do humans have?
In humans we have 23 different types of chromosomes. There are two copies in each cell so we have 46 chromosomes in the nucleus of each cell.
-Different chromosomes have different genes on them, there are 2 copies of each gene.
What is the structure of chromosomes?
The DNA double helix is wrapped around histone proteins, this makes nucleosomes. As this continues wrapping up, it produces chromatin which eventually makes chromosomes.
What is a histone protein?
Histones are highly alkaline proteins found in eukaryotic cell nuclei that package and order the DNA into structural units called nucleosomes.
What is a nucleosome?
Nucleosomes are the basic unit of DNA packaging in eukaryotes (cells with a nucleus), consisting of a segment of DNA wound around a histone protein core.
What is chromatin?
The material of which the chromosomes of eukaryotic organisms are composed, consisting of protein, RNA, and DNA.
-Material staining dark red in the nucleus during interphase of mitosis and meisois. It consists if nucleic acids and proteins. Chromatin condenses into chromosomes when supercoiled during prophase of cell division.
What is the definition of a chromosome?
A linear DNA molecule wrapped around histone proteins found in the nucleus.
What must happen before a cell can divide?
In eukaryotes, the molecules of DNA that make up each chromosome are wrapped around proteins called histones. The DNA and the histone proteins together are called chromatin. Before a cell can divide to produce two new daughter cells, the DNA of each chromosomes must be replicated. Two replicas are produced. Each is an exact copy of the original, and they remain held together at a point called the centromere. This plays an important role an the process of nuclear division.
What is produced when a cell’s DNA is replicated?
At this stage you can’t see the chromosomes under a light microscope. Each chromosome now consists of two replica DNA strands. These replicas are called a pair of sister chromatids. When they are separated from each other, each one will end up in a different new daughter cell.
What must happen to chromatin before it can be divided?
Chromatin must be coiled up (supercoiled) to form visible chromosomes. Each one is then short and sturdy enough the be moved around more easily. Supercoiled chromosomes can’t perform their normal functions in the cell, so the length of time they spend coiled up needs to be as short as possible.
How thick is chromatin and chromosomes?
Chromatin threads are about 30nm thick.
-After supercoiling a chromosome is about 500nm thick.
Why are chromosomes often shown as sister chromatids?
Single chromosomes would be too small to be seen with a light microscope.When copied chromatin supercoils and condenses, it becomes denser and more easier to stain and so can be seen easier with a microscope.
What is the advantage of supercoiling?
- Easier to move
- More compact
What happens as the chromosomes are being replicated?
As chromosomes are being replicated, proof-reading enzymes move along the new DNA strands and check that the copying has been done properly. If the genes are not copied precisely, the resulting mutations may mean the cells fail to function, and could become cancerous.
What other than a full set of chromosomes do daughter cells need?
Each new cell, like its parent, must carry out a number of metabolic function. In order to survive, it needs its own membranes, cytoplasm, organelles, enzymes and other proteins.
Why do all organisms need to produce genetically identical daughter cells?
- Asexual reproduction: single-celled organisms, such as Paramecium, divide to produce two daughter cells that are separate organisms. Some multicellular organisms, such as Hydra, produce offspring from parts of the parent.
- Growth: multicellular organisms grow by producing new extra cells. Each new cell is genetically identical to the parent cells and so can perform the same function.
- Repair: damages cells need to be replaced by new ones that perform the same function and so need to be identical.
- Replacement: red blood cells and skin cells are replaced by new ones.