Cell Cycle & Cell Division
By: Amrit Sir
Cell Cycle
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 Cycle
● These cells divide once in
approximately every 24 hours.
● Yeast for example, can progress
through the cell cycle in only about
90 minutes.
Phases of Cell Cycle
Interphase
Phases of Cell Cycle
M Phase
Phases of Cell Cycle
Cell Cycle
M-Phase Interphase
Karyokinesis Cytokinesis G1 Phase G2 Phase
S Phase
G1 Phase
● Interval between mitosis and
initiation of DNA replication.
● Cell is metabolically active and
continuously grows but does not
replicate its DNA.
S Phase
● S or synthesis phase marks the period
during which DNA synthesis or
replication takes place.
● Amount of DNA per cell doubles.
● No increase in the chromosome
number; if the cell had diploid or 2n
number of chromosomes at G1 , even
after S phase the number of
chromosomes remains the same, i.e.,
2n.
G2 Phase
● During the G2 phase, proteins are
synthesised in preparation for mitosis while
cell growth continues.
● These cells that do not divide further exit G1
phase to enter an inactive stage called
quiescent stage (G0 ) of the cell cycle.
● Cells in this stage remain metabolically
active but no longer proliferate unless called
on to do so depending on the requirement
of the organism.
M Phase
➔ This is the most dramatic period of the cell cycle,
involving a major reorganisation of virtually all
components of the cell.
➔ Number of chromosomes in the parent and
progeny cells is the same, it is also called as
equational division.
➔ Karyokinesis involves following four stages:
● Prophase
● Metaphase
● Anaphase
● Telophase
Prophase
● Chromosomal material condenses
to form compact mitotic
chromosomes.
● Chromosomes are seen to be
composed of two chromatids
attached together at the
centromere.
● Centrosome which had undergone
duplication during interphase,
begins to move towards opposite
poles of the cell.
Prophase
● Each centrosome radiates out
microtubules called asters.
● The two asters together with
spindle fibres forms mitotic
apparatus.
● Cells at the end of prophase, when
viewed under the microscope, do
not show golgi complexes,
endoplasmic reticulum, nucleolus
and the nuclear envelope.
Metaphase
The key features of metaphase are:
● Spindle fibres attach to
kinetochores of chromosomes.
● Chromosomes are moved to
spindle equator and get aligned
along metaphase plate through
spindle fibres to both poles.
Anaphase
Thus, anaphase stage is
characterised by the following key
events:
● Centromeres split and
chromatids separate.
● Chromatids move to opposite
poles.
● Centromere towards pole arms
trailing behind.
Telophase
This is the stage which shows the
following key events:
● Chromosomes cluster at
opposite spindle poles and their
identity is lost as discrete
elements.
● Nuclear envelope develops
around the chromosome clusters
at each pole forming two
daughter nuclei.
● Nucleolus, golgi complex and ER
reform.
Cytokinesis
● Separation of cytoplasm called
cytokinesis at the end of which cell
division gets completed.
● In an animal cell, this is achieved
by the appearance of a furrow in
the plasma membrane.
● The furrow gradually deepens and
ultimately joins in the centre
dividing the cell cytoplasm into
two.
Cytokinesis
● Plant cells however, are enclosed
by a relatively inextensible cell
wall, thererfore they undergo
cytokinesis by a different
mechanism.
● The formation of the new cell wall
begins with the formation of a
simple precursor, called the cell-
plate that represents the middle
lamella between the walls of two
adjacent cells.
Cytokinesis
● At the time of cytoplasmic division,
organelles like mitochondria and
plastids get distributed between
the two daughter cells.
● In some organisms karyokinesis is
not followed by cytokinesis as a
result of which multinucleate
condition arises leading to the
formation of syncytium (e.g., liquid
endosperm in coconut).
Significance of Mitosis
● Mitosis is responsible for the development
of the zygote into an adult.
● Equal distribution of chromosomes to
each daughter cell.
● It is responsible for the growth and
development of an individual.
● It maintains the constant number of
chromosomes in all body cells of an
organism.
Meiosis
● Meiosis involves two sequential cycles of nuclear and cell division
called meiosis I and meiosis II but only a single cycle of DNA
replication.
● Meiosis I is initiated after the parental chromosomes have
replicated to produce identical sister chromatids at the S phase.
● Meiosis involves pairing of homologous chromosomes and
recombination between non-sister chromatids of homologous
chromosomes.
● Four haploid cells are formed at the end of meiosis II.
Meiosis
Prophase I
Prophase of the first meiotic
division is typically longer and
more complex when compared to
prophase of mitosis.
Prophase I
Leptotene
● The chromosomes become gradually visible under the light
microscope.
● The compaction of chromosomes continues throughout
leptotene.
Prophase I
Zygotene
● Chromosomes start pairing together -synapsis.
● Such paired chromosomes are called homologous
chromosomes.
● chromosome synapsis is accompanied by the formation of
complex structure called synaptonemal complex.
● The complex formed by a pair of synapsed homologous
chromosomes is called a bivalent or a tetrad.
Prophase I
Pachytene
● Four chromatids of each bivalent chromosomes
becomes distinct and clearly appears as tetrads.
● Characterised by the appearance of recombination
nodules, the sites at which crossing over occurs
between non-sister chromatids of the homologous
chromosomes.
● Crossing over is the exchange of genetic material
between two homologous chromosomes.
Prophase I
Pachytene
Crossing over is also an enzyme-mediated process and the
enzyme involved is called recombinase.
Crossing over leads to recombination of genetic material on
the two chromosomes. Recombination between homologous
chromosomes is completed by the end of pachytene,
leaving the chromosomes linked at the sites of crossing over
Prophase I
Diplotene
● The dissolution of the synaptonemal complex and the
tendency of the recombined homologous chromosomes
of the bivalents to separate from each other except at
the sites of crossovers.
● These X-shaped structures, are called chiasmata.
● In oocytes of some vertebrates, diplotene can last for
months or years.
Prophase I
Diakinesis
● Terminalisation of chiasmata.
● During this phase the chromosomes are fully condensed
and the meiotic spindle is assembled to prepare the
homologous chromosomes for separation.
● By the end of diakinesis, the nucleolus disappears and
the nuclear envelope also breaks down.
● Diakinesis represents transition to metaphase.
Metaphase I
● The bivalent chromosomes align on
the equatorial plate.
● The microtubules from the opposite
poles of the spindle attach to the
kinetochore of homologous
chromosomes.
Anaphase I
● The homologous chromosomes
separate, while sister
chromatids remain associated
at their centromeres
Telophase I
● The nuclear membrane and nucleolus
reappear, cytokinesis follows and this is
called as dyad of cells.
● The stage between the two meiotic
divisions is called interkinesis and is
generally short lived.
● There is no replication of DNA during
interkinesis.
● Interkinesis is followed by prophase II, a
much simpler prophase than prophase I.
Prophase II
● Meiosis II is initiated immediately
after cytokinesis, usually before the
chromosomes have fully elongated.
● In contrast to meiosis I, meiosis II
resembles a normal mitosis.
● The nuclear membrane disappears
by the end of prophase II.
● The chromosomes again become
compact.
Metaphase II
At this stage the chromosomes align
at the equator and the microtubules
from opposite poles of the spindle
get attached to the kinetochores of
sister chromatids.
Anaphase II
It begins with the simultaneous splitting
of the centromere of each
chromosome (which was holding the
sister chromatids together), allowing
them to move toward opposite poles
of the cell by shortening of
microtubules attached to kinetochores.
Telophase II
Meiosis ends with telophase II, in
which the two groups of
chromosomes once again get
enclosed by a nuclear envelope;
cytokinesis follows resulting in the
formation of tetrad of cells i.e.,
four haploid daughter cells.
Telophase II
Significance of Meiosis
● Conservation of specific chromosome
number of each species is achieved
across generations in sexually
reproducing organisms.
● It also increases the genetic variability
in the population of organisms from
one generation to the next.
● Variations are very important for the
process of evolution.
Which of the following stages of meiosis involves the division of
centromere? NEET 2023
A Metaphase II
B Anaphase II
C Metaphase I
D Prophase II
Which of the following stages of meiosis involves the division of
centromere? NEET 2023
A Metaphase II
B Anaphase II
C Metaphase I
D Prophase II
The process of appearance of recombination nodules occurs at
which sub stage of prophase? NEET 2023
A Diakinesis
B Zygotene
C Pachytene
D Diplotene
The process of appearance of recombination nodules occurs at
which sub stage of prophase? NEET 2023
A Diakinesis
B Zygotene
C Pachytene
D Diplotene
Among eukaryotes replication of DNA takes place in NEET 2023
A G2
B M
C S
D G1
Among eukaryotes replication of DNA takes place in NEET 2023
A G2
B M
C S
D G1
Match the following. NEET 2023
A A-IV, B-I, C-II, D-III
B A-IV, B-I, C-III, D-II
C A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-II
D A-III, B-I, C-III, D-IV
Match the following. NEET 2023
A A-IV, B-I, C-II, D-III
B A-IV, B-I, C-III, D-II
C A-II, B-I, C-IV, D-II
D A-III, B-I, C-III, D-IV
Among eukaryotes replication of DNA takes place in NEET 2023
Given below are two statements:
Statement I: During G0 phase of cell cycle, the cell is metabolically inactive.
Statement II: The centrosome undergoes duplication during S phase of
interphase.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from
the options given below:
A Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
B Both Statement I & II are correct
C Both Statement I & II are incorrect
D Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
Among eukaryotes replication of DNA takes place in NEET 2023
Given below are two statements:
Statement I: During G0 phase of cell cycle, the cell is metabolically inactive.
Statement II: The centrosome undergoes duplication during S phase of
interphase.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from
the options given below:
A Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
B Both Statement I & II are correct
C Both Statement I & II are incorrect
D Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
Select the correct statements.
● Tetrad formation is seen during Leptotene.
● During Anaphase, the centromeres split and chromatids separate.
● Terminalization takes place during Pachytene.
● Nucleolus, Golgi complex and ER are reformed during Telophase.
● Crossing over takes place between sister chromatids of homologous chromosome.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below: (NEET 2023)
A B & E Only
B A & C Only
C B & D Only
D A, C & E Only
Select the correct statements.
● Tetrad formation is seen during Leptotene.
● During Anaphase, the centromeres split and chromatids separate.
● Terminalization takes place during Pachytene.
● Nucleolus, Golgi complex and ER are reformed during Telophase.
● Crossing over takes place between sister chromatids of homologous chromosome.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below: (NEET 2023)
A B & E Only
B A & C Only
C B & D Only
D A, C & E Only
