Show Cells reproduce genetically identical copies of themselves by cycles of cell growth and division. The cell cycle diagram on the left shows that a cell division cycle consists of 4 stages:
ChromosomesChromosomes were first named by cytologists viewing dividing cells through a microscope. The modern definition of a chromosome now includes the function of heredity and the chemical composition. A chromosome is a DNA molecule that carries all or part of the hereditary information of an organism. In eukaryotic cells, the DNA is packaged with proteins in the nucleus, and varies in structure and appearance at different parts of the cell cycle. In G1, each chromosome is a single chromatid. In G2, after DNA replication in S phase, as cell enter mitotic prophase, each chromosome consists of a pair of identical sister chromatids, where each chromatid contains a linear DNA molecule that is identical to the joined sister. The sister chromatids are joined at their centromeres, as shown in the image below. A pair of sister chromatids is a single replicated chromosome, a single package of hereditary information. Ploidy
Here is a simplified diagram illustrating the overall process and products of mitosis: Questions or points to ponder or note about the figure above (answers at bottom of page):
This animation below shows the packaging of DNA and condensation of chromosomes as a cell undergoes mitosis. MeiosisThis is a special sequence of 2 cell divisions that produces haploid gametes from diploid germline cells. It starts with a diploid cell that has undergone chromosomal DNA replication: 2N chromosomes, 4X DNA content. Two successive divisions, with no additional DNA replication, results in 4 haploid gametes: 1N chromosomes, 1X DNA content.
The last point appears to be the most difficult for students to grasp. Consider the X and Y chromosomes. They pair in prophase I, and then separate in the first division. The daughter cells of the first meiotic division have either an X or a Y; they don’t have both. Each cell now has only one sex chromosome, like a haploid cell. Here is a simplified diagram illustrating the overall process and products of meiosis: And here is a video that walks through the steps of meiosis:
Chromosomes, chromatids, what is the difference and how many chromosomes are there at different times of the cell cycle and after mitosis and meiosis?Chromosomes by definition contain the DNA that makes up the fundamental genome of the cell. In a prokaryote, the genome is usually packaged into one circular chromosome consisting of a circular DNA molecule of a few million base pairs (Mbp). In eukaryotes, the genome is packaged into multiple linear chromosomes, each consisting of a linear DNA molecule of tens or hundreds of Mbp. Chromosomes exist at all different phases of the cell cycle. They condense and become visible to light microscopy in prophase of mitosis or meiosis, and they decondense during interphase, in the form of chromatin (DNA wrapped around nucleosomes, like “beads on a string”). The chromosome number is reduced from 2N to 1N in the first meiotic division, and stays at 1N in the second meiotic division. Because homologous chromosomes separate in the first division, the daughter cells no longer have copies of each chromosome from both parents, so they have haploid genetic information, and a 1N chromosome number. The second meiotic division, where sister chromatids separate, is like mitosis. Chromosome number stays the same when sister chromatids separate. Using the information above, compare these two simplified diagrams of mitosis and meiosis to visualize why cells are haploid after meiosis I. Specifically, compare the chromosomes in cells at the end of mitosis vs the end of meiosis I, recognizing that the diagram of mitosis tracks just a single pair of homologous chromosomes, whereas the diagram of meiosis tracks two pairs of homologous chromosomes (one long chromosome and short chromosome): The video below is geared toward a high school audience, but it does present a helpful way for recognizing how many chromosomes are present in a cell (and thus the ploidy level of that cell). While watching, see if you can recognize why the products of meiosis 1 are haploid cells: Answers to questions about the mitosis figure:
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