Mitosis: Difference between revisions
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Mitosis is the process of [[Nuclear division|nuclear division]] that produces two identical daughter cells with a [[Diploid|diploid]] complement of [[Chromosomes|chromosomes]] from one also identical parent cell. It can be broken down into four main stages seen in animal cells:<br> | Mitosis is the process of [[Nuclear division|nuclear division]] that produces two identical daughter cells with a [[Diploid|diploid]] complement of [[Chromosomes|chromosomes]] from one also identical parent cell. It can be broken down into four main stages seen in animal cells:<br> | ||
= Prophase = | = Prophase = | ||
[[Chromosome|Chromosomes]] condense (shorten and thicken) to form visibly distinct threads within the [[Nucleus|nucleus]]. This is brought about by the action of large proteins called [[Condensins|condensins]]. Each [[Chromosome|chromosome]] at this point consists of two [[Chromatids|chromatids]] held together at the [[Centromere|centromere]] (central point). Finally nucleoli disappear and the nuclear envelope disintegrates.<br> | [[Chromosome|Chromosomes]] condense (shorten and thicken) to form visibly distinct threads within the [[Nucleus|nucleus]]. This is brought about by the action of large proteins called [[Condensins|condensins]]. Each [[Chromosome|chromosome]] at this point consists of two [[Chromatids|chromatids]] held together at the [[Centromere|centromere]] (central point). Finally nucleoli disappear and the nuclear envelope disintegrates.<br> | ||
[[Image:MITOSIS.gif|right|The four phases of mitosis.]] | [[Image:MITOSIS.gif|right|The four phases of mitosis.]] | ||
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#Attachment ( to chromosomes) | #Attachment ( to chromosomes) | ||
NB. [[Centrosomes|Centrosomes]] are located at the ends/poles of the spindle and are microtubule organising centres where [[Tubulin|tubulin]] polymerisation is initiated.<br> | NB. [[Centrosomes|Centrosomes]] are located at the ends/poles of the spindle and are microtubule organising centres where [[Tubulin|tubulin]] polymerisation is initiated.<br> | ||
The next step in metaphase is the formation of the [[Kinetochore|kinetochore]], a site of attachment between the [[Chromosome|chromosome]] and the [[Spindle|spindle]] microtubules. Only chromosomal microtubules that make contact with the [[Kinetochore|kinetochore]] however, will become stabilised and others will depolymerise.<br> | The next step in metaphase is the formation of the [[Kinetochore|kinetochore]], a site of attachment between the [[Chromosome|chromosome]] and the [[Spindle|spindle]] microtubules. Only chromosomal microtubules that make contact with the [[Kinetochore|kinetochore]] however, will become stabilised and others will depolymerise.<br> | ||
The final part involves a position near to the centre of the cell, known as the [[Metaphase plate|metaphase plate]]. The kinetochore signals for each [[Chromosome|chromosome]] to move to the plate via [[Dephosphorylation|dephosphorylation]] of certain proteins. The cell can then only move on to anaphase when all kinetochores are under tension and are aligned on the metaphase plate.<br> | The final part involves a position near to the centre of the cell, known as the [[Metaphase plate|metaphase plate]]. The kinetochore signals for each [[Chromosome|chromosome]] to move to the plate via [[Dephosphorylation|dephosphorylation]] of certain proteins. The cell can then only move on to anaphase when all kinetochores are under tension and are aligned on the metaphase plate.<br> | ||
= Anaphase = | = Anaphase = | ||
[[Proteins|Proteins]] holding the [[Chromatids|chromatids]] together dissolve and [[Centromeres|centromeres]] separate. Spindle fibres are signalled by the cell to lengthen causing the identical sister chromatids of each [[Chromosome|chromosome]] to be pulled toward opposite poles of the spindle. The two groups that now lie in each end of the spindle contain the same number of [[Chromosome|chromosomes]] that were present in the original [[Interphase|interphase]] nucleus.<br> | [[Proteins|Proteins]] holding the [[Chromatids|chromatids]] together dissolve and [[Centromeres|centromeres]] separate. Spindle fibres are signalled by the cell to lengthen causing the identical sister chromatids of each [[Chromosome|chromosome]] to be pulled toward opposite poles of the spindle.<ref>http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=PdXshwTm1GAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=mitosis&hl=en&ei=CPfqTMWXAsOChQf35PgO&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CEMQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q&f=false</ref> The two groups that now lie in each end of the spindle contain the same number of [[Chromosome|chromosomes]] that were present in the original [[Interphase|interphase]] nucleus.<br> | ||
= Telophase = | = Telophase = | ||
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In this final stage of mitosis, a nuclear envelope forms around each group of chromosomes and cytokinesis occurs, where the cytoplasm divides into two. The spindle completely disappears and chromosomes undergo the reversal of condensation, deeming them no longer visible under the light microscope. At the end of telophase the two separate daughter cells assume interphase appearance with fully developed nucleoli. | In this final stage of mitosis, a nuclear envelope forms around each group of chromosomes and cytokinesis occurs, where the cytoplasm divides into two. The spindle completely disappears and chromosomes undergo the reversal of condensation, deeming them no longer visible under the light microscope. At the end of telophase the two separate daughter cells assume interphase appearance with fully developed nucleoli. | ||
= References = | = References = | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
Revision as of 15:02, 23 November 2010
Mitosis is the process of nuclear division that produces two identical daughter cells with a diploid complement of chromosomes from one also identical parent cell. It can be broken down into four main stages seen in animal cells:
Prophase
Chromosomes condense (shorten and thicken) to form visibly distinct threads within the nucleus. This is brought about by the action of large proteins called condensins. Each chromosome at this point consists of two chromatids held together at the centromere (central point). Finally nucleoli disappear and the nuclear envelope disintegrates.
Metaphase
The mitotic spindle consisting of microtubules formed by the polymerisation of tubulin begins to form. There are three types if microtubule in the spindle:
- Anchor (centrosome to cell membrane)
- Arch (between centrosomes)
- Attachment ( to chromosomes)
NB. Centrosomes are located at the ends/poles of the spindle and are microtubule organising centres where tubulin polymerisation is initiated.
The next step in metaphase is the formation of the kinetochore, a site of attachment between the chromosome and the spindle microtubules. Only chromosomal microtubules that make contact with the kinetochore however, will become stabilised and others will depolymerise.
The final part involves a position near to the centre of the cell, known as the metaphase plate. The kinetochore signals for each chromosome to move to the plate via dephosphorylation of certain proteins. The cell can then only move on to anaphase when all kinetochores are under tension and are aligned on the metaphase plate.
Anaphase
Proteins holding the chromatids together dissolve and centromeres separate. Spindle fibres are signalled by the cell to lengthen causing the identical sister chromatids of each chromosome to be pulled toward opposite poles of the spindle.[1] The two groups that now lie in each end of the spindle contain the same number of chromosomes that were present in the original interphase nucleus.
Telophase
In this final stage of mitosis, a nuclear envelope forms around each group of chromosomes and cytokinesis occurs, where the cytoplasm divides into two. The spindle completely disappears and chromosomes undergo the reversal of condensation, deeming them no longer visible under the light microscope. At the end of telophase the two separate daughter cells assume interphase appearance with fully developed nucleoli.