UNIT 4: DNA Structure & Cellular
Reproduction
4B: ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION &
MITOTIC CELL DIVISION
Roadmap for the year:
Unit 1: Interconnectedness of Life
Unit 2: Ecological Biochemistry
Unit 3: Cellular Biology: Structure Leads to Function
Unit 4: DNA Structure and Cellular Reproduction
 4A- DNA Structure and Replication
 4B- Asexual Reproduction and Mitotic Cell
Division
Unit 5: Gene Expression and Inheritance
Unit 6: Evolution and Classification of Living Things
Unit 7: Biotechnology, Human Biology, and Disease
Themes for the year:
How does this unit
contribute to your
understanding of the
following themes?
 Life on Earth has
various Levels of
Organization
 The Structure of
Living Things
leads to their
Function
The Big Picture for Unit 4…
DNA is a self-replicating molecule which is the universal code for life; it enables
an organism to transmit hereditary information and, along with the environment,
determines an organism’s characteristics.
o What is the importance of DNA?
o How is DNA copied and passed from one generation to the next?
o What is the role of DNA in passing on traits and proper development?
Suggested Resources…
Textbook – Biology (Miller and Levine, 2010) (Sections 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4)
Notes packets
Homework worksheets
Lab activity packets
PowerPoint presentations
Media resources (videos, images, Internet)
Directions: Below are check lists of things you should know and things you should be
able to do by the end of the unit. Use this tool to help you prepare for the unit assessment.
By the conclusion of this unit, you should know
the following:
1. A cell that and has a high surface area to volume ratio
is able to transport substances into/out of the cell most
efficiently.
2. A cell is able to maximize its surface area to volume
ratio by reducing its size and/or altering its shape.
3. The purpose of mitotic cell division in a single-celled
organism solely for reproduction; in multicellular
organisms it is used primarily for growth and repair.
4. The cell cycle has three main parts: interphase,
mitosis and cytokinesis.
5. Most of a cell’s life is spent in interphase.
6. Some types of cells undergo mitotic cell division more
frequently than others.
7. Prior to cell division, DNA undergoes the process of
replication so that each new daughter cell has a full
copy of the original DNA.
8. DNA can be packaged in two forms: chromatin and
chromosomes.
9. Chromatin is loosely coiled, unreplicated, “working”
DNA.
10. Chromosomes are structures that are formed as
chromatin winds up tightly following DNA replication, in
preparation for cell division.
11. A double armed chromosome consists of two identical
DNA double helixes, termed “sister chromatids”, joined
at the centromere. Once separated, these are called
single armed chromosomes which would later unwind
into chromatin once cell division is complete.
12. Mitosis has four main phases: prophase, metaphase,
anaphase, telophase to separate the double armed
chromosomes into two identical sets at opposite ends
of the dividing cell.
13. Cytokinesis involves the formation of a furrow between
dividing animal cells; dividing plant cells form a cell
plate.
1. Cancer is a disorder in which some of the body’s cells
lose the ability to control growth.
By the conclusion of this unit, you should be able
to do the following:
1. Relate the size of the cell to its ability to function
efficiently and explain why a high surface area to
volume ratio is most efficient for a cell.
2. Use models to illustrate and explain the steps
involved in mitotic cell division.
3. Differentiate between double armed chromosomes,
single armed chromosomes, sister chromatids, and
chromatin.
4. Compare and contrast cytokinesis in plant vs. animal
cells.
5. Explain why some cells undergo mitotic cell division
more frequently than others.
6. Sequence and/or label cell drawings showing various
stages of mitosis.
7. Correlate cancer to mutations affecting gene(s) that
regulate the cell cycle.
Words found in the textbook Page 275:
1. Surface Area:
2. Volume:
3. Surface Area to Volume Ration:
4. Cell Size:
Words found in the Glossary:
1. Anaphase:
2. Asexual Reproduction:
3. Cancer:
4. Cytokinesis:
5. Interphase:
6. Metaphase:
7. Mitosis:
8. Prophase:
9. Sexual Reproduction:
10. Telophase:
Words NOT found in the textbook:
1. Double-Arm Chromosome:
2. Single-Arm Chromosome:
3. Sister Chromatid:
4. Somatic Cell:
Additional Vocab needed for this Unit:
You do not need to re-define these terms; however, you should still be comfortable with
their definitions for this unit.
 DNA, Eukaryotic, Cell Theory, Chromatin/Chromosome, Gene