Cell Division-Mitosis

CELL DIVISION-

Cell division is a very important process in all living organisms. During the division of a cell, DNA replication and cell growth also take place. All these processes, i.e., cell division, DNA replication, and cell growth, hence, have to take place in a coordinated way to ensure correct division and formation of progeny cells containing intact genomes.

The cell cycle is divided into two basic phases-

Interphase
M Phase (Mitosis phase)- The M Phase represents the phase when the actual cell division or mitosis occurs and the interphase represents the phase between two successive M phases. The M Phase starts with the nuclear division, corresponding to the separation of daughter chromosomes (karyokinesis) and usually ends with division of cytoplasm (cytokinesis).

Interphase - The interphase is divided into three further phases-

G1 phase (Gap 1)-G1 phase corresponds to the interval between mitosis and initiation of DNA replication. During G1 phase the cell is metabolically active and continuously grows but does not replicate its DNA.
S phase (Synthesis)-S or synthesis phase marks the period during which DNA synthesis or replication takes place. During this time the amount of DNA per cell doubles. If the initial amount of DNA is denoted as 2C then it increases to 4C. However, there is 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 (Gap 2)-During the G2 phase, proteins are synthesized in preparation for mitosis while cell growth continues. h. These cells that do not divide further exit G1 phase to enter an inactive stage called quiescent stage (G0) of the cell cycle.

M PHASE (Mitosis phase)-

This is the most dramatic period of the cell cycle, involving a major reorganization of virtually all components of the cell. Since the number of chromosomes in the parent and progeny cells is the same, it is also called as equational division. Though for convenience mitosis has been divided into four stages of nuclear division.

Mitosis is divided into the following four stages-

Prophase
Metaphase
Anaphase
Telophase

Prophase -

Prophase which is the first stage of mitosis follows the S and G2 phases of interphase. In the S and G2 phases the new DNA molecules formed are not distinct but interwined. Prophase is marked by the initiation of condensation of chromosomal material. The chromosomal material becomes untangled during the process of chromatin condensation .The centriole, which had undergone duplication during S phase of interphase, now begins to move towards opposite poles of the cell.

The completion of prophase can thus be marked by the following characteristic events-

Chromosomal material condenses to form compact mitotic chromosomes. Chromosomes are seen to be composed of two chromatids attached together at the centromere.
Initiation of the assembly of mitotic spindle, the microtubules, the proteinaceous components of the cell cytoplasm help in the process.

Metaphase-

The chromosomes are spread through the cytoplasm of the cell. By this stage, condensation of chromosomes is completed and they can be observed clearly under the microscope. This then, is the stage at which morphology of chromosomes is most easily studied. At this stage, metaphase chromosome is made up of two sister chromatids, which are held together by the. Small disc-shaped structures at the surface of the centromeres are called kinetochores.

These structures serve as the sites of attachment of spindle fibres (formed by the spindle fibres) to the chromosomes that are moved into position at the centre of the cell. Hence, the metaphase is characterised by all the chromosomes coming to lie at the equator with one chromatid of each chromosome connected by its kinetochore to spindle fibres from one pole and its sister chromatid connected by its kinetochore to spindle fibres from the opposite pole.

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 –

At the onset of anaphase, each chromosome arranged at the metaphase plate is split simultaneously and the two daughter chromatids, now referred to as chromosomes of the future daughter nuclei, begin their migration towards the two opposite poles. As each chromosome moves away from the equatorial plate, the centromere of each chromosome is towards the pole and hence at the leading edge, with the arms of the chromosome trailing behind.

Anaphase stage is characterized by-

Centromeres split and chromatids separate.
Chromatids move to opposite poles.

Telophase-

At the beginning of the final stage of mitosis, i.e., telophase, the chromosomes that have reached their respective poles decondense and lose their individuality. The individual chromosomes can no longer be seen and chromatin material tends to collect in a mass in the two poles.

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 assembles around the chromosome clusters.
Nucleolus, Golgi complex and ER reform.

Cytokinesis-

Mitosis accomplishes not only the segregation of duplicated chromosomes into daughter nuclei (karyokinesis), but the cell itself is divided into two daughter cells by a separate process called cytokinesis at the end of which cell division is complete.

Significance of Mitosis –

Mitosis or the equational division is usually restricted to the diploid cells only. However, in some lower plants and in some social insects haploid cells also divide by mitosis. Mitosis results in the production of diploid daughter cells with identical genetic complement usually. The growth of multicellular organisms is due to mitosis. Cell growth results in disturbing the ratio between the nucleus and the cytoplasm.