1. Describe the roles of cell division in living organisms.

2. Compare the cellular processes and cellular products of asexual and sexual reproduction.
3. Describe the basic structure of a chromosome. Explain how DNA is packaged into an
elaborate, multi level system of coiling and folding.
4. Explain how and when chromosomes and DNA are duplicated.
5. Describe the key events of each phase of the cell cycle.
Cell Division:
Cell reproduction. Two daughter cells produced are genetically identical to each other
and the parent cell.
Before the parent cell splits in 2, it duplicates its chromosomes.
IMPORTANT!!! Every second, millions of your cells divide to replace those who are damaged or lost.
Another function is growth.
Chromosomes:
The structures that contain most of an organisms DNA. One set set of chromosomes
is distributed to each daughter cell.
Asexual Reproduction:
Dividing in half, the offspring are genetic replicas of the parent. Does not
involve fertilization of an egg by sperm. Offspring inherit all of their chromosomes from a single
parent. Examples include sea star species that have the ability to grow new individuals from
fragmented pieces. One simple principle of inheritance: The lone parent and each of its offspring have
identical genes. Usage of asexual reproduction for growth and maintenance of multicellular organisms
is called
mitosis.
Sexual Reproduction:
Requires fertilization of an egg by a sperm. The production of egg and sperm
require a special type of cell division called
meiosis.
In sexually reproductive organisms, both meiosis
and mitosis occur.

Functions of Cell Division

1. Cell Replacement
2. Growth (via cell division)
3. Asexual reproduction
Cell Cycle and Mitosis
-Almost all genes of a eukaryotic cell are located on chromosomes in the cell nucleus
Eukaryotic Chromosomes:
Each chromosome contains one very long DNA molecule, bearing
thousands of genes. Number of chromosomes depends on species. Chromosomes are made up of
chromatin.

Chromatin:
What chromosomes are made of, they are a combo of DNA and protein molecules. As a
cell prepares to divide, its chromatin fibers coil up, forming compact chromosomes. We can only see
them when they are like this!
So how can such long molecules of DNA fit into the tiny nucleus?
They can because within each chromosome, the DNA is packed into an elaborate multi level system of
coiling and folding.

Histones:
Small proteins only found in eukaryotes. Histones attack to the DNA (this looks like beads
on a string under microscope) Each Bead is a nucleosome.
Nucleosome:
Consists of DNA wound up around histone molecules.

Chromosomes, Part II:

Before a cell begins dividing, it
duplicates all of its chromosomes. DNA molecule of
each chromosome is copied through DNA replication
and new protein molecules are attached as needed.
This creates two copies called
sister chromosomes.
Sister chromosomes contain identical genes.
Centromere:
the waist of the two sister chromatids.
When the cell divides, the sister chromatids of a
duplicated chromosome separate from each other.
Once separated from its sister, each chromatid is
considered a fully-fledged chromosome and is
identical to the original. Each daughter cell receives
one chromosome.

The Cell Cycle:

The ordered sequence of events that extends from the time a cell is first formed from
a dividing parent cell until its own division into 2 cells.
Interphase:
The time when a cell performs its normal functions within the organism. The majority of
the cell cycle is spent here. During this time, a cell roughly doubles everything in its cytoplasm.
Increases in its supply of proteins, and number of organelles, and even grows in size.
S phase:
This happens in the middle of the interphase. Chromosome duplication occurs and DNA in
the nucleus is precisely doubled.
G1 and G2 phases:
The time before and after the S phase. During the G phases, each chromosome in
the cell consists of 2 identical sister chromatids and the cell prepares to divide.
Mitotic (M) phase:
The part of the cell cycle when the cell is dividing. Overlapping processes: mitosis
and cytokinesis.
Mitosis: Nucleus and contents (notably duplicated chromosomes) divide & are distributed
evenly. This forms 2 daughter nuclei.
Cytokinesis: Cytoplasm divides in 2. Begins before mitosis is completed.