Biology Form 4 Cell Division

nucleus

chromosomes

centromere

chromatid

DNA

Why Cells divide?

i. Renew dead cells Example: blood cells ii. Repair damaged cells Example: wound healing process iii. Process of growth Example: Increase in size (length or height) iv. To reproduce (off springs) Cell division can be mitosis or meiosis

Cell cycle

Prophase

Metaphase

Anaphase

Telophase

5.2 Meiosis
Trait observable/measureable characteristics
Universal common in all members of a species Ex: 2 eyes, 1 nose, 5 fingers Have variation different among individual Ex: skin color, height, eye color, hair texture Traits can be beneficial or harmful Traits are passed to offspring via sexual reproduction

Diploid Somatic Cells & Haploid Gametes

Every somatic cell (body cell) has 2 pairs of chormosomes

One from mother, one from father Example human beings : 46 chromosomes 23 chromosomes from mother & 23 chromosomes from father
Organism Somatic cell (2n) (Diploid chromosome)

2n
4
39 16 20

Gametes (n) (Haploid chromosome)

Fruit fly
Chicken Onion Mouse

8
78 32 40

Table 1.0: Chormosome numbers in somatic cells and gametes of different organisms

What is Meiosis?
Reduction division : diploid cells produce haploid cells Chromosome number becomes half : 2n n Steps involves: i. Single duplication of chromosomes in parent cells ii. Two cycles of nuclear and cell division iii. Production of 4 haploid gametes Meiosis usually occurs in reproductive organs to produce reproductive cells Ex: -Production of sperms and ovum in human -Production of pollen grains in anthers of flowers

Importance of Meiosis
Important role in sexual reproduction to produce genetic variation Genetic variation differences in the characteristics of an offspring (not a photocopy) Important for survival overcome disease/infection 3 possible ways for genetic variation 1. Chromosome cross-over in prophase I -produces new gene combinations 2.Reduction & Fusion of gametes -fusion of haploid male and female gamete -zygote has combination of genes from both parents 3.Independent (random) assortment in metaphase I
Meiosis I : separation of homologous chromosomes Meiosis Meiosis II : separation of chromatids

Produces 4 daughter cells half chromosome number of the parent cells

Homologous Chromosomes

Pair of chromosomes of the same size and shape They carry same type of genes one set from father and one set from mother They pair up during prophase stage of meiosis I to form homologous pairs or bivalents Example: If a cell has 4 chromosomes (2n = 4)

Similarities between Mitosis & Meiosis

involve cell division Start from diploid cells Chromosome duplicates only once Chromatids separate in anaphase of mitosis and anaphase II of meiosis Similar phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase & telophase Aspects Purpose Meiosis Produce gametes for sexual reproduction

Mitosis Cell renewal growth, wound healing

Somatic cells

Type of cell

Primary spermatocytes & oocytes

Genetically identical to parent cells

Single row chromosome align at the equator Doesnt occur

Genetic identity
Chromosome alignment during metaphase synapsis

Genetically different
Double row chromosomes align at equator Homologous chromosome synapses in prophase I forming tetrads/bivalents

Differences between mitosis and meiosis

Mitosis
Cell renewal growth, wound healing Somatic cells Genetically identical to parent cells

Aspects
Purpose Type of cell Genetic identity

Meiosis
Produce gametes for sexual reproduction Primary spermatocytes & oocytes Genetically different

Single row chromosome align at the equator

Doesnt occur

Chromosome alignment during metaphase

synapsis

Double row chromosomes align at equator

Homologous chromosome synapses in prophase I forming tetrads/bivalents In prophse I

Doesnt occur

Cross-over and chiasma formation Genetic variation Cytokinesis

none Occurs once

present Occurs twice

Diploid (2n)

Chromosome no.

haploid (n)