CELL CYCLE

AND
DIVISION
Chromosome
All living things contain genetic material that
serves as the set of instructions that direct the
activities and functions of the cells. These
genetic materials, also known as the
deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA, are passed on
from one generation to the next to ensure the
continuity of life. In eukaryotic cells (cells with
organelles), the DNA are bound with proteins
and are organized as beads on strings to form
chromosomes.
Parts of the
Chromosome
1. Chromatids – two identical halves of a
replicated chromosome after the
Synthesis phase or the S phase of the cell
cycle.
2. Centromere – the attachment points of
the two chromatids of a
chromosome. It is also described as the
constriction point which divides
the chromosome into two sections, or
“arms.”
3. Short arm – or p arm - upper arms of
 The number of chromosomes in a cell is
characteristic of the species to which it belongs. For
example, humans have 46 chromosomes while rice have
12. Table 1 summarizes the chromosome numbers of
some common organisms
Cell Cycle
The chromosomes of a cell
change form as the cell
transitions from one stage to
another in a typical cell cycle.
The cell cycle may be divided
into two stages: the interphase
where the chromosomes are long
and extended and are also
referred to as chromatin, and the
cell division phase where the
Interphase is the interval
between two cell divisions.
During this stage, the cell is not
dividing; it obtains nutrients
and metabolizes, grows,
replicates its DNA in
preparation for mitosis.
The interphase is divided into
three sub-stages, namely:
1. First gap period or G1 where
cell grows initially synthesis of
protein and ribonucleic acid or
RNA occurs mitochondria
increase in number
2. Synthesis stage or S phase
where DNA are synthesized
thus replicating the
chromosomes in preparation
for the next cell division.
3. Second gap period or G2 where
cell grows rapidly cell prepares
for the actual cell division.
Cell Division
Cell division phase occurs every
after interphase. In eukaryotic cells,
these types of cell division occur:
mitosis and meiosis.
Mitosis
Mitosis is a cellular process wherein two
nuclei and two cells are produced due to the division
of the original nucleus, each of which contains the
same chromosome number as the parent cell.
Mitosis is divided into four stages namely: prophase,
metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
Prophase Stage
• The repeated coiling of chromosomes occurs
resulted to its thicker and shorter structure.
These are made up of two sister chromatids
that are identical to each because of the
replication of DNA during the S phase.
• The two chromatids are still attached at the
centromere.
• The nuclear membrane breaks down.
Metaphase Stage
•Chromosomes align at the
equatorial plane.
•Each spindle fiber from both
centrosomes connects to each
chromosome through its
kinetochore.
Anaphase Stage
• Spindle fibers begin to contract and
become shorter. Continued contraction
causes the separation of the
genetically identical sister chromatids.
• Centromeres divide.
• The single chromatids move towards
the opposite poles.
Telophase Stage
• The chromosomes are now at the opposing
poles of the spindle.
• The microtubules disappear.
• Two sets of chromosomes are surrounded by
new nuclear membranes, completing the
nuclear division process known as karyokinesis.
• Cytoplasmic division called cytokinesis occurs
concurrently, splitting the cell into two.
Meiosis
Meiosis is a special type of cell division
where the cell undergoes two rounds of cell
division to produce four daughter cells, each with
half the chromosome number as the original
parent cell and with a unique set of genetic
material as a result of exchange of chromosome
segments during the process of crossing over.
Meiosis I
The first meiotic division, also
known as Meiosis I, is a reduction division
phase (diploid - haploid). There are two
daughter cells produced after Meiosis 1,
each daughter cell is carrying haploid
number of chromosomes. This consists of
four stages, namely, prophase I,
metaphase I, anaphase I, and telophase I.
 Prophase I Stage
Meiosis starts with this stage and
includes the following substages:
leptotene, zygotene, pachytene,
diplotene, and diakinesis.
Leptotene
• Each chromosome is made up of two long threads of sister
chromatids as a result of replication during the S phase of
the cell cycle.
Zygotene
• The chromosomes begin to pair off. Pairs of chromosomes are
called homologous chromosomes, and this pairing process is exact.
Pachytene
• The chromosomes contract due to repeated coiling. Crossing over
takes place during this stage where a segment of a sister
chromatid of one chromosome is exchanged with the same
segment of the sister chromatid of the homologous chromosome
through the formation of a cross-linkage of the segments called a
chiasma.
Diplotene.
•The chromosomes begin to
uncoil.
Diakinesis.
•The paired chromosomes
disperse in the nucleus.
Metaphase I Stage
• Spindle fibers from the centrosomes of each
pole connect to bivalents or tetrads through
the kinetochores. Homologous
chromosomes line up at the equatorial
plane. There is double alignment of the
chromosomes.
Anaphase I Stage
• Spindle fibers begin to
contract and separate the
bivalent or tetrads.
• Homologous chromosomes
separate and migrate to each
pole of the cell.
Telophase I Stage
• Chromosomes decondense.
• Nuclear membranes reform.
• Cytokinesis or the cytoplasmic
division occurs and two haploid (N)
daughter
• cells with chromosomes with two
sister chromatids are formed.
Prophase II Stage
• Chromosomes (chromatids) condense to form
metaphase chromosomes.
• Nuclear membrane dissolves and nucleolus
disappears.
• Centrosomes move towards each pole of the
cell.
Metaphase II Stage
• Spindle fibers attach to chromatids at the
kinetochores.
• Chromosomes line up at the equatorial plane.
Anaphase II Stage
• Spindle fibers shortened and separated
the sister chromatids.
• Chromatids that are now called
chromosomes move towards each pole
of the cell.
Telophase II Stage
• Single-stranded chromosomes decondense.
• Nuclear membrane and nucleolus reforms.
• Cytoplasm divides (cytokinesis).
Differences in Characteristics between
Mitosis and Meiosis
Roles of Mitosis and Meiosis in the Cell
Division
Activity No. 2: Complete the graphic organizer below of the Cell
Cycle and Its Stages then compare Mitosis from Meiosis.