Cell Division

A parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells, which is known as cell division. Normally, Cell division usually occurs as part of a larger cell cycle. There are two forms of cell division in eukaryotes: vegetative cell division (mitosis), in which each daughter cell is genetically identical to the parent cell, and reproductive cell division (haploid gametes), in which the number of chromosomes in the daughter cells is dropped by half (meiosis).

Introduction

Every living body is made up of one or further cells, which are the most fundamental components of life. In all living organisms, cell division is a critical process. DNA replication and cell expansion do contemporaneously during cell division. The cell cycle is the process through which a cell duplicates its genome, synthesizes other cell parts, and finally splits into two daughter cells. Despite the fact that cell development is a constant process. DNA synthesis takes place only at one stage of the cell cycle/ division.

Types of Cell Division

Cell division may be classified into three types:

  1. Binary Fission: In prokaryotes, binary fission is the sort of cell division that occurs (bacteria and archaea). In these cells, the genetic material (nucleoid) is organized in a single circular chromosome of DNA.
  2. Mitosis: This is the process through which identical daughter cells are produced by chromosomal replication and original replication. The daughter cells are similar to the parent cells in the sense that if the parent cell is diploid, so will the daughter cell. The replicated chromosomes are located in the cytoplasm’s center during mitosis. They’re separated so that the daughter cells may receive a copy of the parent’s DNA. Microtubules (spindle fibers) pull the chromosomes into each of the cells, allowing this to happen. The centrioles, which are located on either side of the cells, give rise to these fibers, which may contain even smaller microtubules known as asters. These are supposed to act as braces that help the fibers operate properly.
  3. Meiosis: In sexually reproducing humans, meiosis is involved in the generation of sperm and eggs. This procedure halves the number of chromosomes. When a sperm fertilizes an egg, the resulting zygote contains a complete set of chromosomes. As a result, a cell that goes through meiosis divides twice (meiosis 1 and meiosis 2). Four haploid (n) gametes are produced from a diploid (2n) parent cell. The reduction phase is known as meiosis 1, while the division phase is known as meiosis 2. Unlike mitosis, two homologous pairs of chromosomes will line up next to each other in meiosis (synapsis). Bivalent refers to the homologous pair that results.

Stages of Cell Division

The cell division is divided into two introductory stages:

  1. Interphase: During interphase, the cell prepares itself for division by undergoing both cell growth and DNA replication in an orderly manner. This phase is also known as the rest phase.

It is further divided into 4 phases:

    1. G1 Phase (Gap 1): During this phase of cell division, the cell is metabolically active and continuously grows but does not replicate its DNA. It corresponds to the interval between mitosis and initialization of DNA replication.
    2. S Phase (Synthesis): During this S phase, the DNA synthesis or replication takes place. During this time the quantity of DNA per cell doubles.
    3. G2 Phase: During G2 phase, proteins are synthesized in preparation for mitosis while cell growth continues.
    4. G0 Phase: This phase is also known as the quiescent/inert stage of the cell division. Cells in this stage remain metabolically active but no longer proliferate unless called to do so depending on the requirements of the organism.

2.M Phase: this is the most dramatic phase of the cell division also known as equational division. The number of chromosomes within the parent and progeny cell is the same. 

This phase is divided into 4 stages and they are as follows:

  1. Prophase: This is the first stage of M Phase following the S and G2 phase of Interphase. Prophase is marked by the beginning of condensation of chromosomal material. The centrosome, which had undergone replication during S Phase, now begins to move towards the opposite pole of the cell.
  2. Metaphase: By this stage, condensation of chromosomes is completed and can be observed by microscope. At this stage morphology of chromosomes is fluently studied.
  3. Anaphase: The rapid-fire separation of sister chromatids marks the transition of cells from metaphase to anaphase. The protease separately degrades the cohesion molecules that connect the sister chromatids, resulting in chromatid separation.
  4. Telophase: Telophase, or the moment where the chromosomes reach the poles, marks the conclusion of mitosis. The nuclear membrane also recovers, and the chromosomes decondense into their interphase states. Cytokinesis, or the division of the cytoplasm into two daughter cells, occurs after telophase. The inheritable makeup of the daughter cells produced by this procedure are identical.

Conclusion

Cell division is a veritably important process in any living organism. Eventually, keep in mind that there are three types of cell division, each of which serves a specific purpose and accomplishes a specific goal. Because cells wear out and need to be replaced, mitosis, the most current form of cell division, is critical for growth and repair.

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