Final Flashcards
(80 cards)
Sources of carbon for organisms
- requirements
Organic material is needed for cell activities – carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acid
Carbon may originate from:
1. Autotrophic nutrition – carbon dioxide; “auto” cells are self-sufficient; humans can’t do this
a. Photoautotrophs – photosynthetic producers
• Plants, algae, & prokaryotic photosynthesis bacteria (cyanobacteria)
• Need water and minerals from soil and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
2. Heterotrophic nutrition – Use preformed organic carbon sources
a. Consumers – live on compounds produced by photoautotrophs (they can’t cook)
• Decomposition – fungi and bacteria
• Direct consumption – eating other consumers/producers
Origins of photosynthesis
Began in cyanobacteria (photosynthetic bacteria)
• Early earth atmosphere had no o2 – cyanobacteria produced o2 to allow other organisms to live and evolve
Cyanobacteria – highly folded plasma membrane
a. Many pigments – can harvest light energy and convert to chemical energy/glucose
b. Same structure of the chloroplast membrane – endosymbiotic theory
- Chloroplasts were photosynthetic bacteria
- Cyanobacteria got trapped inside larger cell – created photosynthetic euks
Photosynthesis as a series of redox reactions
- where does o2 originate & water splitting
- potential energy
6Co2 + 6h2o + solar energy -> 6o2 + c6h12o6
Co2 is reduced, h2o is oxidized
- Electrons move h2o -> co2 and form glucose
- Oxygen is an oxidizer – co2 has more than h2o
Glucose is reduced
Oxygen is produced
a. Uses water as a reactant and a product
Water in product -> split to form O2 and 2e- for glucose
a. Two water molecules requires per a O2
- O2 originates in h20
- Initially thought o2 came from co2
b. Experimentation showed
- co2 oxygen -> glucose and water
- h2o oxygen -> oxygen gas waste
Potential energy
a. Photosynthesis
i. Increases from h2o (low) to glucose (high) – endergonic reaction (+G)
• H2o is the ultimate donor – low energy electrons
• Energy from sunlight lifts energy of electrons – increases potential energy
b. ETC
- Decreases from glucose (high) to h2o (low) – exergonic reaction (-G) to synthesize ATP
plants structures
- how many chloroplasts
- fluid of stroma
Chloroplasts – in euks; the site of photosynthesis
a. 30-40 chloroplasts/cell – lots of power for photosynthesis
- 1mm3 leaf = 500,000 chloroplasts
- Concentrated in mesophyll – middle tissue leaf structure
b. Double membrane
- Stroma – innermost liquid; thick fluid
c. Thylakoid – stacked within stoma; form grana/granum
- Membrane – contain chlorophyll pigments
• Pigments – green colour; absorb solar energy
• Analogous to the internal membranes of photosynthetic prokaryotes – structures are arranged differently
Energy drives photosynthesis
- Glucose – assembled from 2 3C intermediates
- H2o and o2 – waste products
Stomata – regulate entering of CO2 enters and exiting of O2 by opening and closing
Xylem – vessels transport H2O throughout; absorbed by the roots
Phloem – vessels that transport sugar to the roots & other nonphotosynthetic structures
Light reaction
- where does it occur
- what is the energy source - how does it act
- pigments & types of pigments
- photosystems
occurs within thylakoid membranes
Photo stage: solar energy (sunlight) -> chemical energy (ATP)
i. Light absorbed by chlorophyll is used to power the transfer of electrons from water to NADP+ -> NADPH + H+
Sunlight – electromagnetic radiation
- Light – travels in waves; has electrical and magnetic properties
a. Wavelength – the distance between crests; inversely related to energy - Visible light – 380nm to 750nm; seen as colour; drives photosynthesis
a. Behaves like it’s composed of photons
- Photon – has a fixed quantity of energy
b. Can be reflected, absorbed, transmitted
- Pigments absorb light energy – green colour is reflected (not absorbed)
c. Green – not able to be absorbed to perform work
Pigments – absorbs light energy; excite an e- to higher orbital
- Absorption of a photon – boosts the electron to an excited higher energy state
a. Energy of absorbed photon – must be exactly equal to the difference in energy between ground state and excited orbital
b. Excited state is very unstable – electron will drop back to ground state very quickly
i. Will emit photon if energy is not harvested – will be lower in energy than absorbed photon
- Some energy is lost as heat
- Emitted photon – creates fluorescent/light
c. When energy is harvested – used to fix carbon
Accessory pigments – allow absorption of an increased number of wavelengths
- Creates expanded absorption spectra and less waste
- Small structural differences between pigments – allow for increased absorption
3 types of pigments – each has a characteristic absorption spectrum
- Chlorophyll a – participates directly in the light reactions
a. Engages and delivers the energy – ultimate receiver of satellite pigments
b. Blue green – is reflected - Chlorophyll b – accessory pigment
a. Absorbs light in its spectra & sends to chlorophyll a
b. Olive green – reflected - Carotenoids – accessory pigments
a. Absorbs light in its spectra & sends to chlorophyll a
b. yellow/orange – reflected
c. Serve as photo-protectants – protects from UV radiation (can cause skin cancer)
i. Absorb and dissipate energy – DNA and other delicate molecules are preserved because energy is absorbed before it reaches them
ii. Energy would have otherwise damaged other pigments or react with oxygen
- Anti-oxidant properties
Photosystems – reaction center complexes within thylakoid membranes; consists of a pair of chlorophyll a molecules and light harvesting complexes
- Light harvesting complexes – have pigments a, b, and carotenoids bound to different proteins
a. Increased quantity and variety – allows light energy harvesting to occur over a greater surface area and an increased spectrum of absorption
i. Act as antenna
b. Photons are absorbed by pigments – transferred between pigments until chlorophyll a pair is reached in reaction center complex - Chlorophyll a absorbs light energy – boosts electron to a higher energy state
a. The electron is transferred to a primary electron acceptor
i. Redox reaction – primary electron acceptor is reduced
- Electron does not drop back down
ii. Converts light energy to chemical energy - Electron from chlorophyll a pair has been lost when excited
a. Water is split
- 1h20 -> 2H+ + 2e- + ½ o2
b. These 2 e- replace what’s been lost in chlorophyll a pair
Light reaction process
- how is atp produced
- potential energy difference
- products and reactants
- what allows water to split
- where else is NADPH used
**P680 and P700 are essentially identical but associate with different pigment proteins altering their electron distribution
Photosystem II – functions first
1. P680 – absorbs photons of light at 680nm wavelength
a. energy is passed pigment to pigment
i. Pigment electrons are excited – energy released excites nearby electrons when electron falls
2. Chlorophyll a pair is reached
a. P680 is excited -> P680* & transfers electrons to the primary electron acceptor
b. H2O splits into 2H+, 2e- and O (1/2 an O2) – enzyme catalyzes
i. O combines with another to form O2 – releases o2 gas as waste
ii. 2 e- are used to replace 2 e- that were excited from P680 by transfer of energy through pigments
3. Excited P680* electrons are transferred via ETC to photosystem I
a. Carriers in ETC – plastoquinone, cytochrome complex, and plastocyanin
i. Exergonic transfers (-G) as e- falls from excited state
ii. Energy released is used to pump H+ into thylakoid space/lumen – builds up proton gradient
iii. ATP synthase is on the lateral side – synthesizes ATP as H+ flow through
- Chemiosmosis
- 6 H+ per water molecule splitting = 1.5 ATP:
4 H+ pushed across cytochrome complex
2 H+ released from splitting of water
- Moves ATP into stroma
b. Plastocyanin passes to P700
Photosystem I
- Light harvesting complex excites electrons in chlorophyll a pair P700 forming P700*
a. Same process as PSII
b. P700* passes the electrons to an electron acceptor - Lost electrons of P700 are replaced with the electrons moving from PSII down the electron transport chain
a. Originates from h2o in PSII - Excited electrons from P700* move down a second electron transport chain
a. Transfers to ferrodoxin
i. No proton gradient is being created
b. Transferred to NADPH reductase – in stroma
i. Protons are transferred to NADP+ -> NADPH
- Electrons are higher energy than water they originated on – excited by photons
- NADPH is in stoma
ii. Phosphorylated electron carrier – we also use to make fats in cells
Reactants
i. Sunlight
ii. H2o
iii. NAD+
iv. ADP
Products in this stage
- Oxygen gas – waste
a. Water is split into 2 H+ and 2e-
b. 2 water molecules form an o2 gas molecule - NADPH – reactant for dark reaction in stoma
- ATP – reactant for dark reaction in stoma
a. Produced via photophosphorylation (chemiosmosis) – NOT oxidative - NO glucose
Cyclic electron flow and ATP synthase
- which photosystem
- what is not produced
Uses only photosystem I
Uses ferredoxin to move e- back to cytochrome complex – exergonic transfer used to push H+ into lumen
Recycles electron to produce ATP
No o2 or NADPH created – electrons do not fall
Lift -> energize -> collect -> come down -> lift
Calvin cycle
- purpose
- when it takes place
- metabolism
- products
carbon fixation step; occurs in stroma
Converts co2 to glucose
i. CO2 + ATP + NADPH -> C6H12O6
Light and dark reactions both take place in daylight
i. Dark reactions do not require light**
Anabolic cycle (TCA is catabolic)
i. Requires energy as ATP
ii. Requires a source of reducing power as -> NADPH
Doesn’t directly produce glucose
- Produces (3C) glyceraldehyde 3 phosphate (G3P) -> 2 G3P forms glucose
a. 3 turns = 1 G3P
- 3 co2 are fixed
b. 6 turns = 1 glucose
3 phases of calvin cycle
- potential energy
- where else is G3P and NADPH used
Phase I: carbon fixation
- Ribulose bis-phosphate (RuBP) fixed onto CO2
a. RuBP (5C) – must be present in cell for dark rxns to begin; must be replaced at the end
i. 5C RuBP + Co2 = 6C molecules
- Unstable – immediately splits into 2 (3C) 3-phosphoglycerate
- 3PGA – phosphate is on 3rd carbon - Fixation is catalyzed by RUBISCO – enzyme; most abundant protein on Earth
Phase II: reduction
1. 3PGA accepts a phosphate from ATP -> forms 1,3 bis-phosphoglycerate
a. Each consumes 1 ATP – 2 ATP per fixed carbon
i. Energy and phosphate – ATP from light reaction
b. 1,3 indicated placement of phosphate (carbon 1 and 3)
2. 1,3 bis-phosphoglycerate -> accepts 2 electrons from NADPH & releases one phosphate group
a. Each molecule: 1 NADPH -> NADP+ H+ (2 e-)
b. Forms glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate -> increased potential energy
i. Also formed in glycolysis
c. Only carbon that is fixated can be contributed to G3P
i. Only 1/6 net gain
- 3 cycles for 1 G3P
- 6 cycles for 2 G3P = 1 glucose
ii. 36 carbons per 6 cycles
- 6 carbons per glucose
- 30 carbons from RuBP – 5C x 6 cycles = 1 glucose
(30 carbons/5 = 6 RuBP)
- Recycling 1 5C RuBP – requires 1 ATP
(6 ATP per glucose)
iii. 15 carbons from RuBP per 3 turns
3. Per glucose
a. 12 ATP from 3PGA -> 1,3 bisPGA
b. 6 ATP from recycling RuBP
c. 12 NADPH from 1,3 bisPGA -> G3P
4. Per G3P
a. 6 ATP from 3PGA -> 1,3 bisPGA
b. 3 ATP from recycling RuBP
c. 6 NADPH from 1,3 bisPGA -> G3P
Phase III: ribulose bis-phosphate regeneration
- Per G3P
a. 5 G3P x 3 carbon -> rearranged to 3 (5C) RuBP
b. Requires 3 ATP - Per glucose
a. 10 G3P x 3 carbon -> rearranged to 6 (5C) RuBP
b. Requires 6 ATP
Photorespiration
On hot days the stomata are closed to prevent water loss -> decreases co2 uptake and photosynthetic yield
o Accumulation of o2 gas due to light reactions – o2 is not leaving
Photorespiration – RUBISCO binds o2
1. C3 plants – make G3P first in dark reaction; normal photosynthesis
a. Ex. rice and wheat
b. When binding o2 -> produces 2 carbon compounds
• Leaves the chloroplast
• Peroxisomes and mitochondria rearrange compound -> is immediately broken down
- Consumes O2 -> releases CO2
2. Occurs because RUBISCO can bind o2 or co2
a. Wasteful – decreases photosynthesis
• Consumes co2 instead of fixing it – decreases carbon fixation material
• Consumes o2 instead of releasing
• Does not generate ATP -> consumes ATP
• Does not produce sugar
Alternatives to carbon fixation
C4 plants – produce 4 carbon intermediates first instead of G3P
- Used in many plants – unique leaf anatomy is needed
- Two cells required
a. Mesophyll Cells – loosely arranged between the bundle sheath cells and the leaf surface
i. Meso is middle – fills the middle space of leaf
- Most common area for photosynthesis
- Most plentiful cell
ii. Co2 accumulates here
iii. PEP carboxylase – enzyme combines 3C PEP with co2 -> forms 4C oxaloacetate
- Higher affinity for co2 that Rubisco
- No affinity for o2 – eliminates competition
iv. 4C oxaloacetate -> 4C Maltate
- Maltate is transported to bundle sheath cells via plasmodesmata
b. Bundle Sheath Cells – arranged around the veins of the leaf; vascular tissue that provides water
i. No oxygen is present
ii. 4C Maltate loses 1 carbon as co2 -> 3C pyruvate
- Co2 is used as a substrate for rubisco -> enters into Calvin cycle
iii. 3C pyruvate -> converted to 3C PEP & moved back into mesophyll
- Costs 1 ATP – keeps concentration of co2 in bundle sheath cells high
- High co2 concentration prevents rubisco from binding o2
CAM plants – photosynthesis adapted to hot climates (ex. cacti)
1. Stomata are open at night and closed during the day – all gas exchange occurs at night to conserve water
- Opposite of standard behavior
2. CO2 is taken into the leaf at night -> plant fixes co2 into organic acids
• Mesophyll cells -> store acids made at night in vacuoles until morning
3. During daylight – light reaction can occur
• Solar energy – required for ATP and NADPH production
• Organic acids release CO2 – enters Calvin cycle & used to produce glucose in the chloroplast
Fate of photosynthetic products
- how much carbs are produced a year by plants
- how is some energy lost
- how is it stored and what structure use it
Photosynthesis produces chemical energy and carbon skeletons – used to make all major organic molecules of plant cells (anabolism)
a. Glucose used for
- Fats
- AAs & protein
- Carbohydrates
- Nucleic acids
b. All had to come from co2
Chemical energy
a. 50% is consumed as fuel for cellular respiration
- Glucose enters into glycolysis
- Produces ATP
b. Some is lost to photorespiration – wasteful reaction with oxygen
Leaves are autotrophic
a. The remaining plant structures receive these organic carbon structures via the veins – usually as sucrose
- Used for cellular respiration and anabolic reactions
Products
1. Glucose – stored as starch & main ingredient of the plant cell wall
- Starch – storage form
- Cellulose – cell wall
2. Excess sugar – stored in the roots, seeds and fruits
a. Energy/carbon supply for heterotrophs – we use glucose to supply our carbon requirements
b Plants produce 160 billion metric tons of carbohydrates per year – ultimate producers
• One metric ton=1000kg
• Reduces greenhouse gases
3. O2 production
Cell division
- sexual vs asexual
- accuracy
- immune responses to errors
Most cell division serves to divide one parent cell into two identical daughter cells
1. Asexual reproduction – produces photocopies of cell; does not introduce any genetic variation unless there is an error made
a. Mitosis in eukaryotes
b. Binary fission in prokaryotes
2. Meiosis – exception; sexual reproduction
a. Parent cell divides into 4 daughter cells – cell splits twice
• 2 copies of 2 genetically non-identical cells
Cell division is always a highly accurate, highly complex process – sexual and asexual
1. Can otherwise create errors/variants
a. Differences are seen as changes in immune response – need different medication to treat different variants
b. Mutation – sometimes differences are not noticeable; severity depends on change
2. RNA viruses – covid
a. Do it with their own machinery – lots of errors and mutations
• We do not replicate RNA in this way
Chromosomes
- genome
- proks vs euks
- chromatin - activity and degrees of condensation
- chromosomes
- proteins present
- how many genes
- species
Chromosomes – DNA & associated proteins in a complex
Genome – total cellular DNA content
Proks vs Euks
1. Prokaryotes have one single circular DNA molecule/chromosome
2. Eukaryotes have many linear DNA molecules/chromosomes
a. includes DNA in mitochondria and chloroplasts
b. Humans – have 2 meters of genomic DNA; organized onto 46 chromosomes
• 250,000x cell diameter – must be coiled when separating
o Needs to be able to fit within the nucleus
• Must be able to replicate this DNA – also must be able to separate into two equal daughter cells
Chromatin – DNA & proteins; long and thin
- Proteins – allow the maintenance of cell structure; also assist with DNA function
a. Allow the DNA structure to be kept highly ordered & compact - Active – transcribing to create mRNA & proteins
- Can exist in varying degrees of condensation – coiled, uncoiled, somewhere in between
Chromosomes – coiled chromatin; shorter and easily visible
1. Histone proteins – small balls that dna coils around; makes chromosomes
2. Present during division – must be duplicated to have enough cellular material present for 2 cells
a. Creates 2 identical copies – very specific; errors result in cells that are not identical
i. Sister chromatids – duplicate copies
o Attached via cohesin proteins & centromere
o Separate from each other during division – become chromosomes
Consist of 100s-1000s of genes
o Specify an individual’s traits
Number of chromosomes vary depending on species
o Humans have 46
o Dogs have 78
2 cell types in humans & how many chromosomes
- fertilization
- Somatic cells – diploid
a. All body cells except sex cells (sperm and egg)
b. Have 46 chromosomes in the nucleus
i. 23 pairs – one from each parent - The genes on each code for the same trait – may have different types; may be the same
- Gametes – haploid
a. Sex cells used for reproduction (sperm and egg)
b. Contain 23 individual chromosomes – haploid
i. One taken from each pair in random order
ii. Fertilization – 2 haploid cells form a diploid cell (46 chromosomes)
Mitosis
interphase vs mitotic phase
- how long is each phase
- beginning and end of S phase
- how many errors occur
- what percent of cell life
- mitotic spindle
- are centrosomes essential
- end result
A cell will always be in a phase of division
a. Daughter cells immediately enter into G1
b. Cells that do not divide again enter into G0
- G0 – dead end; does not move into S phase
- Ex. neurons
Interphase
1. 90% of cell’s cycle – most of the cell’s life is spent in this stage
o Does not involve actual division
2. Involves duplication of chromosomes & organelles – increase in cell size
o Intense metabolic activity
3. 3 subphases – all involve protein and organelle synthesis
a. G1: 4-6 hours
i. Cell grows and increases in size
b. S phase: 10-12 hours
i. S = synthesis of DNA
ii. Chromosomal duplication
• Beginning – single chromosomes
• End – all are sister chromatids
iii. Cell still continues to grow and increase in size
c. G2: 4-6 hours
i. Continues to grow and prepare for division
Mitosis phase
10% of cell’s cycle
1. Actual division of chromosomes – extremely organized and accurate
a. Errors occur approximately 1/100,000 divisions
b. No genetic variation – asexual division
c. Less than 1 hour to complete
2 subphases
1. Mitosis – the nucleus and all its contents, including sister chromatids, divide and form 2 daughter nuclei
a. 5 subphases
• Prophase
• Prometaphase – transition phase
• Metaphase
• Anaphase
• Telophase
o Cytokinesis overlaps with telophase -> Symbolizes completion of mitosis
2. Cytokinesis – division of all cellular contents, nuclei and organelles
a. begins before the termination of mitosis
Mitotic spindle form during prophase – consists of fibres made of microtubules and associated proteins
a. Stem from centrosomes – 2 in cell; dense region under microscope
- Centrosome is composed of 2 centrioles at a right angle to each other
- Plants do not have centrioles – nonessential for cell division
b. Cytoskeleton will partially disassemble to provide material for spindle to form
c. Made from tubulin
- Microtubules polymerize by increasing tubulin to elongate
- Depolymerize by removing tubulin to shorten
end result – 2 identical daughter cells with a nucleus, cytoplasm, and plasma membrane
o each will inter into G1
Homologous pairs
- identical in
- staining
- locus and allele
Chromosomes – are present in homologous pairs
1. 23 homologous pairs in somatic human cells – equates to 46 chromosomes
a. Pairs encode for same traits
2. Identical in length and centromere position
a. Staining chromosomes – the matching chromosomes of a homologous pair display identical pattern of stripes
3. Locus – location on a chromosome that a particular gene
a. Homologous pairs – contain a gene encoding the same trait at the same locus
• May be different versions of trait (allele)
4. One from mother and father of each type of chromosome
Sex chromosomes – exception to the homologous pair rule in the human cell
1. Human females have XX – homologous pair of sex chromosomes
a. All 23 pairs are homologous
2. Human males have XY – nonhomologous pair of sex chromosomes
a. 22/23 pairs are homologous
• Most genes carried on the X chromosome do not have a counterpart on the Y chromosome
• The Y chromosome is much smaller but carries a few genes that are not on X chromosome
Diploid after fertilization – one chromosome from each homologous pair and one sex chromosome is inherited from each our mother and father
- Somatic cells have 23 chromosome pairs
- 1-22 are called autosomes
- 23 is the sex chromosome pair
Karyotype
- what cells are used
- how are they ordered
visual display of homologous chromosomal pairs; an individual’s magnified chromosomes beginning with the longest and arranged in homologous pairs
The chromosomes viewed are condensed and doubled – metaphase of mitosis
a. Lymphocytes (WBC) are used to prepare a karyotype
- Chemically treated to begin mitosis
- Second chemical is added after a few days to arrest the cells in metaphase of mitosis
Amplify chromosomal size
a. They’re in a condensed phase – easier to see than when they’re uncoiled
- They’re in mitosis – they have sister chromatids
Gametes
- fertilization (what n)
Haploid (one set of chromosomes)
A sexually reproducing organism must have two chromosome sets – one from each parent
o Humans are diploid organisms – only gametes are haploid
Fertilization – the fusion of two haploid gametes (one sperm and one egg)
- Results in a diploid zygote – 2 chromosome sets
a. If gametes were diploid – would result in tetraploid zygote
b. Zygote divides by mitosis – produces mature organism
- Will produce its own haploid gametes - Down syndrome – one extra copy of chromosome
a. Must be a highly specific process
b. Tetraploid would result in many error in development
Human life – alternating diploid and haploid stages
a. Haploid – produced in meiosis
- Genetic variability
- Occurs in testes and ovaries
- Meiosis reduces number of chromosomes by half – divides twice after chromosomal duplication
N = number of individual types of chromosomes; signifies variety
- n = haploid
- 2n = diploid
a. 2 sets of chromosomes – 1 from mother and father - After S phase – twice as many; chromatids attached at centromere
a. Diploid – still 2n; NOT tetraploid
b. Haploid – still n
3 types of sexual life cycles
- Human/animal life cycle
a. Meiosis takes place in germ cells – produces gametes (sperm and egg)
i. Haploid phase is only unicellular
b. Fertilization produces a diploid zygote: n + n = 2n
i. Divides by mitosis to produce a multi-cellular organism - Plant/algae life cycle – contain haploid and diploid multi-cellular stages
a. Sporophyte phase
i. Multicellular 2n sporophyte – produces n spores by meiosis
ii. n spore – divides by mitosis to produce gametophyte
- gametophyte – multicellular haploid
b. Gametophyte phase – produces n gametes by mitosis
i. Gametes fuse – form 2n zygote
ii. Zygote divides by mitosis – produce sporophyte
- Sporophyte – multicellular diploid - Fungal life cycle – opposite of humans
a. n Gametes fuse producing a 2n zygote
i. Zygote – divides by meiosis producing n cells
- Zygotes divide by mitosis in animals
- Single celled zygote is the only 2n phase
ii. n cells – divide by mitosis to produce haploid multicellular adult
- Cells of the adult phase – divide by mitosis in order to produce gametes
5 phases of mitosis
Prophase
- Chromatin becomes coiled forming visible chromosomes
a. DNA replication is done in loose state during S phase – do not compact prior to prophase - The nuclear membrane and the nucleolus disappear – allows for accessibility of chromosomes
- Animal cells – centrosomes duplicate during interphase
a. Centrosomes duplicate during interphase (initially only 1)
i. Duplication – interphase
ii. Migration – prophase
- They begin side by side near the nucleus
- Opposite poles – signifies end of pro-metaphase & progression into metaphase
- Prometaphase – transition phase between prophase and metaphase
iii. Spindle microtubules will grow out from them
b. Spindle apparatus fully forms – includes:
- Aster – an array of short microtubules that project out from each centrosome
- Spindle microtubules
- Centrosomes - Proteins associated with the DNA of the centromere:
a. Centromere – middle region of coiled chromosomes
b. Kinetochore – proteins attached laterally on either side of the centromere
i. Each sister chromatid contains one
ii. Site of attachment of spindle microtubules
- Kinetochore microtubules – differ from nonkinetichore microtubules
- Microtubules shorten and separate sister chromatids
iii. Number varies according to species
Metaphase
- Metaphase plate – duplicated chromosomes align down the center of the cell
a. Prophase – not perfectly aligned down the center yet
b. Metaphase – centromeres are located midway between the spindle’s two poles - Asters – have elongated and contacted the plasma membrane; provides anchor
- Non-kinetochore microtubules – have elongated and contacted non-kinetochore microtubules originating at the other pole of the cell
- Creates tension to allow to pulling apart of sister chromatids
Anaphase
- Centromeres separate from one another pulling sister chromatids apart
a. Separase cleaves cohesins – between centromere; hold sister chromatids together
b. Chromatids move to opposite poles of the cell - Overlap between non-kinetochore microtubules is reduced
a. Motor proteins walk microtubules away from one another -> consumes ATP
- Elongates the cell by pushing spindle poles apart from one another
b. Microtubules lengthen simultaneously by addition of tubulin – polymerize at overlap - Complete when chromosome duplicates have reached opposite poles of the cell
Telophase & Cytokinesis
Telophase
1. The reverse of prophase
a. The nuclear membrane and the nucleolus reform
b. Chromosomes become chromatin – reactivated
c. Disassembly of the spindle apparatus – microtubules depolymerize
2. Mitosis is now complete – the identical daughter nuclei have divided
a. Daughter cells are not completely formed but nuclear material is identical
Cytokinesis – the division of the cytoplasm and its contents
- Occurs at the same time as telophase
- Animals
a. Cleavage furrow – shallow groove in surface of plasma membrane
i. Cytoplasmic side – actin forms contractile ring
- Interaction of actin and myosin cause ring to contract – results in deepening of invagination
- Both proteins have motor components
- Deepens until cell pinches into 2 complete daughter cells
ii. no cell wall - Plant Cells
a. Cell wall inhibits the ability of cleavage furrow formation – too much additional material
b. Golgi vesicles carry cell wall material
- Move along microtubules to the middle of the cell during telophase
c. Vesicles fuse forming a cell plate – creates cell wall down the center of the cell
- Surrounding membrane eventually fuses with plasma membrane – forms daughter cells
Binary Fission
- size of genetic material in proks
mode of cell division in prokaryotes
Cell grows to double the original size & pinches down the center – divides into two genetically identical daughter cells that are the same size as the parent cell
1. While cell elongates – chromosome simultaneously duplicates and goes to other side of cell
a. Smaller chromosome than euks – still 500x the length of bacteria cell; must be highly coiled
b. Replication begins at origin of replication (ori)
• 2 origins – division proceeds outward; shortens the amount of time DNA replication takes (as opposed to one)
c. Protein assistance is required to move chromosomes to opposite poles
2. Plasma membrane pinches inward and two identical daughter cells are created
Can occur in as little as 10 minutes – average of 1-3 hours
o Very efficient because they do everything at once
Evolution of mitosis
Mitosis followed binary fission – simpler unicellular prokaryotic mode of reproduction
a. Developed into unicellular euks – developed ability to do mitosis
b. Proteins used in bacterial binary fission are related to proteins used in mitosis
- Proteins that are used to move proteins are similar
- Shows common thread/evolutionary pathway
Single celled eukaryotes use mitosis – simplified euk
a. Ex: Dinoflagellates
b. Nuclear membrane remains intact
- Intermediate between binary fission and mitosis
Meiosis
- similarities and differences
- twins
- interphase
produces haploid cells
Many stages are very similar to in mitosis
a. Both are preceded by interphase – doubling of chromosome in S phase
Differences from mitosis
a. Mitosis has one cell division
- Initial cell is 2n
- Results in two 2n genetically identical daughter cells
b. Meiosis has two cell divisions
- Initial cell is 2n
- Results in four n genetically variable daughter cells
- 2 would be identical if crossover didn’t occur
Twins
o Identical – same zygote divides by 2x what it’s supposed to after fertilization
o Fraternal – 2 eggs are fertilized
Interphase Preceding Meiosis – same as mitosis
a. 2n cell doubles in size
o Organelles and content duplicated in G1 phase
o Chromosomes duplicated in S phase
o G2 ensures cell is ready for division