Mitosis and Meiosis
What is Mitosis?
Mitosis produces two daughter cells that are identical to the parent cell. If the parent cell is
haploid (N), then the daughter cells will be haploid. If the parent cell is diploid, the daughter
cells will also be diploid.
N→N
2N → 2N
This type of cell division allows multicellular organisms to grow and repair damaged tissue.
Click here to go to the chapter on Mitosis.
Summary of the Phases of Mitosis
The drawings below show chromosome movement and alignment in a cell from a species of
animal that has a diploid number of 8. As you view the drawings, keep in mind that humans have
a diploid number of 46.
Interphase (G1 and G2)
Chromosomes are not easily
visible because they are
uncoiled.
Prophase
The chromosomes begin to
coil.
The spindle apparatus
begins to form as
centrosomes move apart.
Prometaphase
The nuclear membrane
disintegrates.
Kinetochores form on the
chromosomes.
Kinetochore microtubules
attach to the chromosomes.
Metaphase
The chromosomes become
aligned on a plane.
Anaphase
The chromatids separate
(The number of
chromosomes doubles).
Telophase
The nuclear membrane
reappears.
The chromosomes uncoil.
The spindle apparatus
breaks down.
The cell divides into two.
G1 Interphase
The chromosomes have one
chromatid.
G2 Interphase
The chromosomes are
replicated. Each one has two
sister chromatids.
What is Meiosis?
Meiosis produces daughter cells that have one half the number of chromosomes as the parent
cell.
2N → N
Meiosis enables organisms to reproduce sexually. Gametes (sperm and eggs) are haploid.
Meiosis involves two divisions producing a total of four daughter cells.
Click here to go to the chapter on meiosis.
Summary of the Phases of Meiosis
A cell undergoing meiosis will divide two times; the first division is meiosis 1 and the second is
meiosis 2. The phases have the same names as those of mitosis. A number indicates the division
number (1st or 2nd):
meiosis 1: prophase 1, metaphase 1, anaphase 1, and telophase 1
meiosis 2: prophase 2, metaphase 2, anaphase 2, and telophase 2
In the first meiotic division, the number of cells is doubled but the number of chromosomes is
not. This results in 1/2 as many chromosomes per cell.
The second meiotic division is like mitosis; the number of chromosomes does not get reduced.
Prophase I
Homologous chromosomes
become paired.
Crossing-over occurs between
homologous chromosomes.
Crossing over
Metaphase I
Homologous pairs become
aligned in the center of the
cell.
The random alignment pattern
is called independent
assortment. For example, a cell
with 2N = 6 chromosomes
could have any of the
alignment patterns shown at
the left..
Anaphase I
Homologous chromosomes
separate.
Telophase I
This stage is absent in some
species
Interkinesis
Interkinesis is similar to
interphase except DNA
synthesis does not occur.
Prophase II
Metaphase II
Anaphase II
Telophase II
Daughter Cells
Laboratory Exercise
Mitosis in Animals
Human Chromosomes
1. View a slide of human chromosomes and draw some of the chromosomes in your notebook.
2. Do the chromosomes have one chromatid or two?
Below: Human Chromosomes Click on the photograph to view an enlargement.
Whitefish Blastula
3. The cells of a developing embryo are dividing rapidly and can be used for viewing the
different stages of mitosis. Obtain a whitefish blastula (early embryo) slide and find a cell in
each of these phases: interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
4. Draw a cell in anaphase.
Below: Whitefish blastula mitosis X 400. Click on the images to view enlargements.
Mitosis
Introductory Concepts
Chromatin, Chromosomes
Chromatin is DNA and associated proteins.
When the cell is not dividing, individual pieces of chromatin called chromosomes may be
condensed into 10 nm, 30 nm or 300 nm fibers. During cell division, DNA becomes further
compacted and chromosomes such as those in the photograph below become visible. Click here
for more information about chromosome structure.
Below: Human chromosomes (female)
Haploid, Diploid
Diploid cells (2N) have two complete sets of chromosomes. The body cells of animals are
diploid.
Haploid cells have one complete set of chromosomes. In animals, gametes (sperm and eggs) are
haploid.
Homologous Chromosomes
Homologous chromosomes are two chromosomes that are the same. This happens because
diploid organisms have two of each chromosome. Each of the pairs is a homologous pair. One of
the homologous chromosomes was inherited from the individual's mother and the other one was
inherited from the individual's father. For example, the two chromosomes #1 are homologous.
However, a chromosome #1 and a chromosome #2 are not homologous because they are
different chromosomes.
Genes
A small segment of DNA that contains the information necessary to construct a protein or part of
a protein (polypeptide) is called a gene. Genes are the unit of inheritance.
Types of Cell Division
A cell divides by pinching into two. Each of two daughter cells produced contains genetic
material inherited from the original (parent) cell.
Why Divide?
Single-celled organisms divide to reproduce.
Cell division in multicellular organisms enables the organism to grow larger while the cells
remain small. A large surface:volume ratio is due to small cell size.
Organisms with many cells can have cells which are specialized for different functions and
tasks. For example, red blood cells are specialized for carrying oxygen but neurons (nervous
tissue) are specialized for conducting signals from one cell to another.
Some cells of multicellular organisms must divide to produce sex cells (gametes).
Mitosis
Mitosis produces two daughter cells that are identical to the parent cell. If the parent cell is
haploid (N), then the daughter cells will be haploid. If the parent cell is diploid, the daughter
cells will also be diploid.
N --> N
2N --> 2N
This type of cell division allows multicellular organisms to grow and repair damaged tissue.
Meiosis
Meiosis produces daughter cells that have one half the number of chromosomes as the parent
cell.
2N --> N
Meiosis enables organisms to reproduce sexually. Gametes (sperm and eggs) are haploid.
Meiosis is necessary in sexually-reproducing organisms because the fusion of two gametes
(fertilization) doubles the number of chromosomes.
Meiosis involves two divisions producing a total of four daughter cells.
Click here to go to the chapter on meiosis.
Chromosome Structure and Replication
A chromatid is a single DNA molecule.
Double-stranded chromosomes have two chromatids; normally, each one is identical to the other.
The point where the two chromatids are attached is called the centromere.
Chromosome Doubling vs DNA Synthesis
Splitting chromosomes into two will double their number because each chromatid is identical.
DNA replication occurs when a single-stranded chromosome produces a second chromatid.
Click here to review DNA synthesis (replication).
Overview of the Cell Cycle
Interphase (G1 and G2)
Chromosomes are not
easily visible because they
are uncoiled.
Prophase
The chromosomes begin to
coil.
The spindle apparatus
begins to form as
centrosomes move apart.
Prometaphase
The nuclear membrane
disintegrates.
Kinetochores form on the
chromosomes.
Kinetochore microtubules
attach to the chromosomes.
Metaphase
The chromosomes become
aligned on a plane.
Anaphase
The chromatids separate
(The number of
chromosomes doubles).
Telophase
The nuclear membrane
reappears.
The chromosomes uncoil.
The spindle apparatus
breaks down.
The cell divides into two.
G1 Interphase
The chromosomes have
one chromatid.
G2 Interphase
The chromosomes are
replicated. Each one has
two sister chromatids.
Mitosis Animation
The link below is an animation that shows chromosome movement during mitosis in a
hypothetical species with 2N = 4.
Click here to begin the animation. After the screen opens, press Ctrl-F to view the animation in
full screen mode.
The Cell Cycle
The cell cycle alternates between interphase and mitosis as diagrammed below.
Mitosis has these four phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
Prophase
During prophase, chromosomes begin condensing as DNA becomes coiled. The genes cannot
function (produce mRNA and therefore protein) when the DNA is coiled. Coiling facilitates
movement.
The nucleolus disappears.
A system of microtubules needed to move the chromosomes begins to form during prophase.
The microtubules, also called spindle fibers, form from an area of the cell called the centrosome.
During interphase, the cell has one centrosome but just before prophase, the centrosome
duplicates, producing a second centrosome. During prophase, microtubules radiate from each
centrosome. Some of the microtubules extend from one centrosome toward the other.
The entire complex of centrosomes and spindle fibers is called the spindle apparatus.
Each centrosome of an animal cell contains two centrioles. Plant cells do not have centrioles but
they do form spindle fibers.
Prometaphase
The nuclear membrane becomes fragmented.
Protein plates called kinetochores form on the centromeres of each chromosome.
Kinetochore microtubules attach to the kinetochores.
Click on the image above to enlarge it.
Metaphase
During metaphase, the chromosomes move to the center of the cell (diagram below, photograph
above). This line of chromosomes is referred to as the metaphase plate.
The structures in the diagram below are referred to as the spindle apparatus. Kinetochore
microtubules are attached to the chromosomes. Polar microtubules are not attached to
chromosomes but overlap each other. Asters are short microtubules that radiate from the
centrosomes. The spindle apparatus can be seen on the drawing of a cell in metaphase below.
Metaphase ends when chromosomes split, thus doubling the number of chromosomes.
Anaphase
When the chromosomes split at the end of metaphase, the chromosome number is doubled. For
example, the number of chromosomes and chromatids during each phase in a human cell is:
Phase
#
#
Chromosomes Chromatids
Prophase
46
92
Metaphase
46
92
Anaphase
92
92
Telophase
92
92
Chromosome movement
Microtubules lengthen and shorten by the addition or removal of tubulin dimers. Click here for
details in the chapter on cells.
Kinetochore microtubules shorten in the region of the kinetochore, pulling the chromosomes
apart.
Polar microtubules push against each other and thus, push the two centrosomes apart. This, in
turn, also pulls the chromosomes apart.
The chromosomes move toward poles of cell.
Cytokinesis (division of the cell) begins in anaphase. A cleavage furrow forms as actin filaments
underneath the plasma membrane constrict in a band called the contractile ring. Two cells will be
produced as this process continues.
Telophase
Telophase begins when chromosomes reach the poles of the daughter cells.
Many of the events in telophase are the reverse of prophase. The chromosomes uncoil, the
nuclear membranes around daughter nuclei appear, the spindle apparatus breaks down, and the
nucleolus reappears.
Cytokinesis is completed as telophase ends.
Interphase
This is the non-dividing phase of the cell cycle.
During interphase, the nucleus is visible and the chromosomes are uncoiled and invisible.
Interphase includes G1, S and G2.
G1
Each chromosome has one chromatid.
The cell grows in size.
Synthesis of organelles occurs.
S
This is when DNA synthesis occurs.
G2
Each chromosome has two chromatids.
The synthesis of enzymes and other proteins in preparation for mitosis occurs during this period.
Cells that permanently leave the cycle
Some cells leave the cell cycle and enter a phase called G0. Examples: skeletal muscle, nerve
cells
Some cells that leave the cell cycle are able to reenter the cycle when needed. Other cells
permanently leave the cycle.
Mitosis in Plants
Plants form a spindle apparatus as animals do but plants lack centrioles.
Instead of furrowing, vesicles derived from the Golgi apparatus fuse at the equator to form a cell
plate. The vesicles contain materials necessary to construct a cell wall between the cells.
Mitosis in Allium (Onion)
Practice
Click here for the answers to the questions below.
How many chromosomes are there in each of the three diagrams below? How many chromatids?
If a parent cell had 6 chromosomes, how many during each phase listed below?
Phase
prophase
metaphase
anaphase
telophase
G1 interphase
G2 interphase
# Chromosomes
# Chromatids
If a cell had 4 chromosomes that were single-stranded, how many chromosomes and chromatids
during each phase listed below?
Phase
# Chromosomes
# Chromatids
prophase
metaphase
anaphase
telophase
G1 interphase
G2 interphase
Draw each phase of mitosis (prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase) in a cell that has 2N = 4
chromosomes. Show the following in your drawings: chromosomes, kinetochore microtubules,
and nuclear membrane.
Control of the cell cycle
Telomeres
Mammalian cells typically divide only about 50 times.
This limit is set by the presence of repeated sequences of DNA at the tips of the chromosomes
called telomeres.
In young cells, the sequence TTAGGG is repeated hundreds or thousands of times but each time
the cell divides, it loses 50 to 200 of these repeats. Cells that have divided many times have
fewer of these repeats left.
When the telomere is reduced to a certain size, the cell will no longer divide.
Telomeres are restored to their original length by an enzyme called telomerase. This enzyme
contains a single strand of RNA that is used to synthesize the telomeres.
Telomerase is usually found in cells involved in the production of gametes. It is not normally
found in somatic cells.
Checkpoints
The cell cycle (diagram below) has three main checkpoints that function to stop the cycle. At the
checkpoints, the cells receive a signal to go ahead and proceed with the next part of the cycle.
At each checkpoint, certain conditions are checked before the cycle proceeds. At the G1/S
checkpoint, the presence of necessary molecules needed to synthesize DNA is checked. If they
are not present, the cell cycle stops. The presence of extracellular molecules such as growth
factors is checked at this point. If growth factors are required, the cell cycle will stop unless
growth factors are present.
At the G2 checkpoint, the cell checks to see if all of the DNA has been replicated and it also
checks for damaged DNA. If DNA replication is not completed or if the DNA is damaged, the
cycle stops.
At the metaphase-anaphase checkpoint the cell checks to see that all of the chromosomes are
attached to spindle fibers.
Most cells stop dividing in G1. Cells that progress past the G1 checkpoint usually undergo
mitosis.
Cyclins and Cyclin-dependent Kinases
While checkpoints function to stop the cell cycle when needed. The operation of the cell cycle is
regulated by proteins called cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdk) and other proteins called cyclins.
Cyclins are named because the level of cyclins fluctuates (cycles) as the cell cycle progresses.
Kinases are proteins that activate other proteins by transferring a phosphate group from ATP to
the protein being activated. Kinases are normally inactive and must be activated before they can
activate other proteins. Cyclin-dependent kinases become activated by combining with a protein
called cyclins.
Four major types of cyclins are involved in regulating the cell cycle. G1-Cdk stimulates the cell
to move past the G1 checkpoint and prepares the cell for the S phase. G1/S-Cdk enables passage
into the S phase S-Cdk initiates DNA replication M-Cdk initiates mitosis
As the name implies, the level of cyclin fluctuates (cycles). The activated cyclin-kinase complex
activates enzymes that destroy the cyclin, causing the level of cyclin to decrease. At low cyclin
levels, kinases are not activated and the cell cycle is halted. High cyclin levels are needed for the
cell cycle to proceed.
Prokaryotes
Prokaryotic cells do not undergo mitosis. When the cell divides, the circular chromosome
replicates itself (DNA synthesis) and the cell pinches into two.
This process is called binary fission.
Additional Photographs of mitosis in animals: Ascaris Megalocephala Mitosis
Mitosis in Plants
5. Cells at the tips of plant roots and stems grow rapidly and can be used for viewing the stages
of mitosis. Used a slide of onion (Allium) root tip to identify interphase, prophase, metaphase,
anaphase, and telophase.
6. Find a cell in telophase and draw the cell in your notebook. Draw the cell plate if it is visible.
Below: Allium root tip mitosis X 400. Click on the images to view enlargements.
Meiosis in Animals (Gametogenesis)
Testis
7. Obtain a slide of a cross section of rat testes and observe the seminiferous tubules. Identify
spermatogonia. Identify sperm.
Below: Rat testes X 100. Click on the image to view an enlargement.
Ovary
The primary oocyte is contained within a structure called a follicle. As the follicle enlarges, it
produces hormones. During ovulation, the follicle ruptures and releases the secondary oocyte.
8. View a slide of a section of a rabbit ovary under scanning magnification and observe follicles
in various stages of development. Can you see an oocyte in any of the follicles?
Below: Rabbit ovary X 40. Click on the image to view an enlargement.