Cell Division:

Mitosis & Meiosis

Made by maitree sharma
Xi b
Introduction
Cell division is a very important process in all living organisms. During
the division of a cell, DNA replication and cell growth also take place.
All these processes, i.e., cell division, DNA replication, and cell growth,
hence, have to take place in a coordinated way to ensure correct
division and formation of progeny cells containing intact genomes.
The sequence of events by which a cell duplicates its genome,
synthesises the other constituents of the cell and eventually divides
into two daughter cells is termed cell cycle.Cell division is of two types
Mitosis and Meiosis.
Mitosis
Interphase
Interphase is the first and the longest phase of the cell cycle, during which
the cell grows, replicates its DNA, and prepares for cell division. It’s like the
“preparation phase” before the actual division happens. Interphase can be
divided into three subphases: G1 (Gap 1), S (Synthesis), and G2 (Gap 2).
The G1 phase occurs after cell division (mitosis) and before DNA
replication initiation. During G1, the cell grows and is metabolically
active but does not replicate its DNA.
The S phase, or synthesis phase, is when DNA replication happens,
doubling the amount of DNA per cell. Despite DNA doubling, the
chromosome number remains the same as in G1. In animal cells during
S phase, DNA replication begins in the nucleus, and centrioles duplicate
in the cytoplasm.
The G2 phase involves protein synthesis in preparation for mitosis while
cell growth continues. Some adult animal cells, like heart cells, and
others divide only as needed to replace lost cells, exiting G1 to enter a
non-dividing state called G0. Cells in G0 remain metabolically active but
only proliferate when needed by the organism.
M PHASE
The M phase, or mitotic phase, is the phase of the cell cycle where actual cell division occurs. It consists of two
main processes: Karyokinesis and cytokinesis.
Karyokinisis involves following phases:

Prophase
First stage of mitotic cell division, following S and G2 phases of interphase. In S and G2 phases, new DNA
molecules are intertwined, but not distinct. Prophase starts with condensation of chromosomal material.
Centrosomes, duplicated during S phase, move toward opposite cell poles. Cells in late prophase lack Golgi
complexes, endoplasmic reticulum, nucleolus, and nuclear envelope when viewed under a microscope.
Key features of prophase are:
• Chromosomal condensation into compact mitotic chromosomes, each consisting of two chromatids attached
at the centromere.
•Centrosomes move to opposite poles, radiating microtubules called asters.
Metaphase
Second stage of mitosis marked by complete disintegration of the nuclear envelope. Chromosomes
spread throughout the cell cytoplasm, and by the end of this stage, the condensation is complete, and
visible under a microscope.

Key features of metaphas are:

• Spindle fibers attach to chromosome kinetochores.
•Chromosomes move to the spindle equator and align along metaphase plate via spindle fibers to
both poles.

Anaphase
At the start of anaphase, the third phase of karyokinesis: Each chromosome positioned at the
metaphase plate divides simultaneously. The resulting daughter chromatids, now known as daughter
chromosomes, begin moving toward opposite poles.

Key features of anaphase are:

•Centromeres split, separating chromatids.
•Chromatids migrate to opposite poles.
Telophase
At the start of telophase, the final phase of karyokinesis. Chromosomes that have reached the poles
become less condensed and lose their distinct structure. Individual chromosomes become indiscernible,
and chromatin material tends to gather at each pole.

Key features of telophase are:

•Chromosomes assemble around opposite spindle poles, losing their individual identity.
•A nuclear envelope forms around the chromosome clusters at each pole, resulting in the formation of
two daughter nuclei.
• Components like the nucleolus, Golgi complex, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) reassemble.

Cytokinesis
Cytokinesis is the process of cell division that occurs after the nuclear division phase (karyokinesis) in
eukaryotic cells. Cytokinesis is started by the formation of a furrow in the plasma membrane. The
furrow deepens and eventually meets at the center, dividing the cytoplasm into two.
Significance of mitosis
•Important for growth and multiplication of cells.
•Ensures that the two daughter cells inherit the same number of chromosomes, and hence the same
characteristics as the parent cells.
•Plays a significant role in wound healing, regeneration of damaged parts (as in tail of lizard), and
replacement of cells lost during normal wear and tear (e.g. skin surface).
Meiosis
Sexual reproduction involves the merging of two gametes, each containing a full haploid set of chromosomes. Gametes
originate from specialized diploid cells. The unique type of cell division that halves the chromosome count, leading to the
generation of haploid offspring cells, is termed meiosis. Meiotic events are grouped into 2 phases: Meiosis I and Meiosis II

MEIOSIS I
Prophase i
This stage of meiosis stands out for its complexity and duration, contrasting with the relatively simpler prophase of
mitosis. This phase comprises five distinct stages: Leptotene, Zygotene, Pachytene, Diplotene, and Diakinesis.
• Leptotene marks the initial stage where chromosomes gradually become visible under the light microscope while
continuing to compact.
• In Zygotene, homologous chromosomes start pairing together through a process known as synapsis, forming structures
called bivalents or tetrads, helped by the development of a synaptonemal complex.
• Pachytene follows, characterized by the distinct appearance of four chromatids within each bivalent and the initiation of
crossing over at specific points known as recombination nodules, facilitated by the enzyme recombinase.
• During Diplotene, the dissolution of the synaptonemal complex occurs, and chiasmata, the visible manifestations of crossover
points, become more pronounced.
• Diakinesis marks the final stage of prophase I, characterized by the terminalization of chiasmata, full condensation of
chromosomes, and the assembly of the meiotic spindle, signaling the transition to metaphase
Metaphase i
This is marked by the alignment of bivalent chromosomes along the equatorial plate, with microtubules from opposite
spindle poles attaching to kinetochores.

Anaphase i
This is distinguished by the separation of homologous chromosomes, with sister chromatids remaining attached at their
centromeres.

Telophase i
This involves the reappearance of the nuclear membrane and nucleolus, followed by cytokinesis, resulting in the
formation of two daughter cells, each containing half the chromosome number of the parent cell.
Phases of meiosis ii
Prophase ii
This stage in meiosis II starts immediately after cytokinesis, often before chromosomes fully elongate. The nuclear
membrane vanishes by the end of prophase II, and chromosomes recompact.

Metaphase ii
This stage sees chromosomes aligning at the equator, with microtubules from opposite spindle poles attaching to sister
chromatids’ kinetochores.

Anaphase ii
This stage begins with the simultaneous splitting of each chromosome’s centromere, allowing sister chromatids to move toward
opposite poles through microtubule shortening.h
Telophase ii
This stage marks the end of meiosis, during which two sets of chromosomes are once again enclosed by a nuclear
envelope, followed by cytokinesis leading to formation of four daughter cells.

Significance of Meiosis
•Meiosis forms the gametes that are essential for sexual reproduction.
•Crossing over introduces new recombination of traits.
•Helps in maintenance of chromosome number of sexually reproducing organism.
•Provides evidence of basic relationship of organisms.
Thank you
very much