Cell division (Mitosis)

Question 1

What is mitosis?

Answer 1

It is a type of cell division. The mother cell undergoes division and creates two daughter cells that are original to each other and the original cell. There is no change in the chromosome number

Question 2

What are the stages of the cell cycle?

Answer 2

First there is interphase where the cell grows and accumulates nutrients needed for duplicating DNA. Then there is mitosis and cytokinesis where the cell duplicates in splits into two distinct, identical cells

Question 3

Why is mitosis important?

Answer 3

It replaces cells that wear off naturally (skin) and existing cells undergo mitosis to produce new cells for replacement. It is also helps repair tissues/organs damaged by accident

Question 4

Phases of mitosis.

Answer 4

1. Interphase
2. Prophase
3. Metaphase
4. Anaphase
5. Telophase
6. Cytokinesis

Question 5

1. Interphase

Answer 5

Prepares for division. Growth and duplicating DNA

Question 6

2. Prophase

Answer 6

Chromosomes form (2 pairs of chromatids connected by centromere) and the centrosome moves towards the poles

Question 7

3. Metaphase

Answer 7

The chromosomes form a line along the equator of the cell. Spindle fibres from the centrosome connects to the centromere

Question 8

4. Anaphase

Answer 8

Spindle fibres contract and pull chromosomes apart towards opposite sides of the cell. Each chromatid is a single strand of DNA

Question 9

5. Telophase

Answer 9

2 groups of 4 chromosomes are now present. Nucleus forms and cytokinesis takes place separating into two cells

Question 10

Differences between mitosis in animal and plant cells

Answer 10

Animal:

• Centrosome forms spindle fibres
• Cytokinesis occurs by a constriction of the cell membrane until two cells are formed

Plants:

• Cytoplasm forms spindle fibres
• Cytokinesis occurs by the making of a new cell wall in the middle region of the cell