BoLOGY

division (e.g.
animals do not appear to exhibit
Some cells in the adult occasionally, as needed
to
died other cells divide only These
heart cells) and many or cell death.
root
that have been lost because of injury inactive stage
it:as 16 replace cells not divide further exit G, phase to enter an remain
in cells that
do
stage (G) of the cell cycle. Cells in this stage
you called quiescent proliferate unless called on
to do so
active but no longer
nany metabolically
requirement of the organism.
will depending on the is only seen in the diploid
somatic
at G, In animals, mitotic cell division this where haploid clls divide
hase,
cells. However, there are few exceptions to
bees. Against this, the plants can
by mitosis, for example, male honey
ilase?
e the and diploid cells. From your
show mitotic divisions in both haploid
f the
of generations in plants (Chapter 3)
'Ler S recollection of examplesof alternation
which mitosis is seen in haploid cells.
f the identify plantspecies and stages at
M

10.2 M PHASE
This is the most dramatic period of the cell cycle, involving a major
reorganisation 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 (karyokinesis), it is very essential to
understand that cell division is a progressive process and very clear-cut
lines cannot be drawn between various stages. Karyokinesis involves
following four stages:
Prophase
Metaphase
Anaphase
Telophase

10.2.1 Prophase
Prophase which is the first stage of karyokinesis of mitosis follows the
S and G, phases of interphase. In the S and G, phases the
molecules formed are not distinct but intertwined. Prophase isnew DNA
by the initiation of condensation of chromosomal marked
material.
chromosomal matertál becomes untangled during the processThe
chrómatin condensation (Figure 10.2 a). The centrosome, of
undergone duplication during S phase of interphase, now which had
towards opposite poles of the cell. The completion of begins to move
be marked by the following prophase can thus
characteristic events:
Chromosomal material condenses to form
chromosomes. Chromosomes are seen to compact mitotic
chromatids attached together at the be compsed of two
centromere.
Centrosome which had undergone duplication
begins to move towards opposite during interphase,
poles of the cell. Each centrosome
radiates out microtubules called asters.
with spindle fibres forms The two asters together
mitotic apparatus.
 CELL CYCLE AND CCELL

viewed under the

10.2.2 Metaphase
envelope marks
The complete disintegration of the nuclear
mitosis, hence the
the start of the second phase of
chromosomes are spread through the cytoplasm of
the cell.
completed
By this stage, condensation of chromoSomes is Early Prophase
and they can be observed clearly under the microscope. This
is
then, is the stage at which morphology of chromosomes
mosteasily studied. At this stage, metaphase chromosome
is made up of two sister chromatids, which are held together
by the centromere (Figure 10.2 b). 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 Late Prophase
chromosomes coming to lie at the equator with one chromatid (a)
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 (Figure
10.2 b). The plane of alignment of the chromosomes at
metaphase is referred to as the metaphase plate. The key
features of metaphase are:
Spindle fibres attach to kinetochores of
chromosomes. Tublin
Transition to
Chromosomes are moved to spindle equator and get Metaphase
aligned along metaphase plate through spindle fibres
to both poles.

10.2.3 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 daughter chromosomes of
the future daughter nuclei, begin their migration towards
the two opposite poles. As each chromosome moves Metaphase
away
from the equatorial plate, the centromere of each chromosome (b)
remains directed towards the pole and hence at the leading
edge, with the arms of the chromosome trailing
behind Figure 10.2 a and b: Adiagrammatic
(igure 10.2 c). Thus, anaphase stage is characterised by iew of stages
in mios