Journal: What is mitosis? Why is it important? January 19, 2017 Journal: What is mitosis? Why is it important? Hand in your homework
The Cell Cycle
The Cell Cycle Four Phases G1 – Gap 1 S – DNA Replication G2 – Gap 2 Mitosis
Interphase Occurs when the cell is not dividing Cells spend the majority of their time in this phase Made up of three phases G1 – Growth Phase S – DNA Replication Occurs G2 – Growth Phase
Mitosis Division of the nucleus Occurs in 4 stages: PMAT Prophase Metaphase Anaphase Telophase http://www.stolaf.edu/people/giannini/flashanimat/celldivision/crome3.swf
1st: Prophase The nuclear membrane disappears
2nd: Metaphase Pairs of chromosomes line up at the center of the cell
3rd: Anaphase Pairs of chromosomes separate and begin to move to opposite ends of the cell
4th: Telophase Two new nuclei form around the chromosomes Chromosomes become chromatin (threads rather than X’s) Mitosis ends
Cytokinesis Last stage of the cell cycle Not part of mitosis Cell membrane pinches inwards to create two daughter cells – each with its own nucleus with identical chromosomes
How long does the cell cycle take?
How is the cell cycle regulated? Cyclins – proteins that regulate the amount of time spent at each stage of the cell cycle
Checkpoints At the end of each stage cells must pass through checkpoints to make sure that the cell is at the appropriate point in the cell cycle If not, the cell will be destroyed When cells that should not pass through the checkpoint do anyway it results in cancer
What is cancer? Cancer is the uncontrolled cell growth of abnormal cells in the body.
How does cancer occur? Step 1: External factors cause mutations in the DNA Can be genetic or caused by carcinogens (cancer causing agents) Step 2: Cell loses its ability to control it’s grow and division Step 3: Over an extended period of time, a mass of cells known as a tumor will form
Formation of Tumors
Types of Tumors Slow growing and does not metastasize Malignant Tumors Fast growing Likely to metastasize (spread to other parts of the body and cause problems) Benign Tumors Slow growing and does not metastasize