1. Mitosis, Meiosis and Heredity: Cell Growth and Division
Unit 7

2. What makes us get bigger?
Do our cells grow larger and larger or do they divide and multiply???
In most cases living things grow by producing more cells.
There’s no real cell size difference between baby and adult animals. Adults just have many more cells.

3. Limits to Cell Growth
There are two reasons cells divide rather than continue to grow:
The larger the cell becomes, the more demands the cell places on its DNA
Larger cells have more trouble moving things like nutrients and wastes across the cell’s membrane

4. 1. DNA “Overload”
Cell Demands
DNA
Nucleus +

5. Exchanging Materials
TOWN LIMIT
(Cell membrane)

6. 2. Exchanging Materials
Remember: Nutrients enter and wastes exit through the cell’s membrane
The rate at which nutrients enter and wastes exit depends on the surface area of the cell
The rate at which these nutrients are used up and waste products are produced depends on the volume of the cell
So, we need to figure out the relationship between the cell’s surface area and volume to determine how they divide and grow

7. Ratio of Surface Area to Volume
Imagine the cell as a cube
Surface Area= length x width x number of sides
1 x 1 x 6= 6cm2
Volume= length x width x height
1 x 1 x 1= 1cm3
Length
1 cm
Width
1 cm

8. YOUR TURN: What would happen if the length of the cell doubled?
2 x 2 x 6 = 24 cm2
3 x 3 x 6 = 54cm2
2 x 2 x 2 = 8cm3
3 x 3 x 3 = 27cm3
24 / 8 = 3:1
54 / 27 = 2:1

9. This is like each new town getting it’s own “genetic library”!
Division of the Cell
Cells divide before they get too large.
The process by which cells divide into two “daughter” cells is called cell division.
This is like each new town getting it’s own “genetic library”!

10. Exact Replicas
Each daughter cell gets a complete copy of the parent cell’s genetic information
In order to copy this information exactly we need to know the role of chromosomes and the steps in the cell cycle

11. Chromosomes
Chromosomes carry the genetic information that is passed on from one generation to the next. They are made up of DNA.
The cells of every organism have a specific number of chromosomes
Humans have 46, carrots have 18 and fruit flies have 8
Before cell division each chromosome is replicated. Because of this each chromosome consists of 2 genetically identical “sister” chromatids.
1 “sister” chromatid
chromosome

12. The Cell Cycle
During the cell cycle, a cell grows, prepares for division, and divides to form 2 daughter cells, each of which begins the cycle again.
There are 4 phases:
G1 phase
S phase
G2 phase
M phase
Interphase

13. Cell Cycle Broken Down
Usually the shortest phase. Many of the organelles and molecules required for cell division are produced
Cell increases in size, synthesizes new proteins and organelles
Chromosomes are replicated and DNA synthesis takes place
Mitosis is further divided into 4 phases and cell division occurs at the end

14. 4 Phases of Mitosis
Prophase
Metaphase
Anaphase
Telophase

15. Prophase Longest part of Mitosis (50-60% of the time)
Chromosomes become visible
Centrioles near the nuclear envelope move toward opposite poles
Condensed chromosomes become attached to spindle fibers at their centromeres
Nucleolus disappears and the nuclear envelope breaks down

16. Metaphase
Chromosomes line up across the center of the cell (metaphase plate)
Microtubules connect the centromeres of each chromosome to the two poles of the spindle

17. Anaphase Centromeres split
Sister chromatids separate toward spindles on opposite sides of the cell

18. Telophase
Once distinct chromosomes begin to disperse into a tangle of dense material
Nuclear envelope re-forms around each cluster (2) of material
Spindle breaks apart
Nucleolus visible in each daughter nucleus
Mitosis is complete

19. What’s Next? What we’ve got: Final task:
2 nuclei with duplicate chromosomes in the cytoplasm of a single cell
Final task:
Divide the cytoplasm

20. Cytokinesis
In animal cells the cell membrane draws inward and is pinched off forming two separate cells
In plants, a cell plate forms between the nuclei, turns into a separating membrane and eventually a cell wall

21. Controls on Cell Division
Scientists have observed what is “supposed to happen” in petri dishes. Cells should grow until the bottom is covered and then stop. They are also regulated by the surrounding cells.

22. So what actually does the regulating?
The amount of a protein called cyclin rises and falls in time with the cell cycle.
Cyclins regulate the timing of the cell cycle in eukaryotic cells
Other proteins have been linked to cell regulation as well
Internal Regulators
Ex: makes sure cell doesn’t enter Mitosis until chromosomes have been replicated
External Regulators
Direct cell to speed up or slow down the cycle.
Ex: Growth Factors are important during embryonic development and wound healing

23. What about uncontrolled cell growth?
Cancer is the result of cells not being able to control their growth.
Cancer cells DO NOT respond to the signals that regulate the growth of most cells
Uncontrolled cell growth causes tumors
BAD NEWS!

24. What causes Cancer?
Smoking tobacco, radiation exposure, viral infections
These all have uncontrolled cell growth in common with one another
Many cancer cells have a defect in their p53 gene which normally halts the cell cycle until all chromosomes have been replicated