Please use BLUE FONT COLOR for your responses.
Chapter 9: The Cell Cycle
KEY CONCEPTS
9.1 Most cell division results in genetically identical daughter cells
9.2 The mitotic phase alternates with interphase in the cell cycle
9.3 The eukaryotic cell cycle is regulated by a molecular control system
This chapter will be essential to your understanding of how heritable information is passed unchanged from one
cell to its descendants and provides for the continuity of life. Multicellular organisms grow and cells are
renewed in this process of cell division.
STUDY TIP Figure 9.1 in your text summarizes how one cell passes on its genetic information to identical
daughter cells in three distinct phases called the cell cycle. As you work through this chapter, you will add
details to each process. Summarize each phase.
Interphase:
Mitosis:
Cytokinesis:
Concept 9.1 Most cell division results in genetically identical daughter cells
1. What are the three key roles of cell division? Refer to Figure 9.2 in your text. State each function and give
an example.
Function Example
2. What is the meaning of genome?
3. What is chromatin?
4. How many chromosomes are in a human somatic cell? Name two types of somatic cells in your body.
5. What is a gamete? Name the two types of gametes.
6. How many chromosomes are present in a human gamete?
7. How many DNA molecules are in each of your somatic cells? Think carefully!
8. You are going to have to learn the difference between several similar-sounding terms. The following image
that looks like an X represents a duplicated chromosome that has two sister chromatids. The narrow “waist”
represents the location of the centromere. The centromere is a region of DNA, a part of the chromosome
where one sister chromatid will attach to the other sister chromatid. A single chromosome has one
centromere; duplicated chromosomes therefore have two centromeres, adhering to each other in this region.
Students often get all these terms confused, so take time now to label the indicated areas of the figure and
then define each of the terms below.
chromosome
chromatid
centromere
chromatin
chromosome:
chromatid:
centromere:
chromatin:
9. Study Figure 9.5 in your text. Label the following figure and summarize what occurs at the DNA level in
each stage. The top figure shows one chromosome. The middle figure shows a duplicated chromosome with
two sister chromatids. It is still considered one chromosome. When the sister chromatids have separated in
the bottom figure, they are now considered individual chromosomes. Run through this again! Top picture,
one chromosome. Middle picture, one duplicated chromosome (with two sister chromatids). Bottom picture,
two chromosomes.
10.What is mitosis? How is it different from cytokinesis?
11.What occurs in meiosis? Where does it occur in humans?
12.A chicken has 78 chromosomes in its somatic cells.
a. How many chromosomes did the chicken inherit from each parent?
b. How many chromosomes are in each of the chicken’s gametes?
c. How many chromosomes will be in each somatic cell of the chicken’s offspring?
Concept 9.2 The mitotic phase alternates with interphase in the cell cycle
13.What is considered to be the cell cycle?
14.Label each of the parts of the cell cycle listed below and give a brief explanation of what happens in each
phase.
G1:
S:
G2:
M:
15.During which parts of the cell cycle does the cell grow?
16.Which part of the cell cycle is longest in duration?
17.What are the components of the mitotic spindle? What is the source of these components?
(p. 194)
Refer to Figure 9.7 in your text. This two-page spread contains essential information about the events of mitosis
in an animal cell. Note that this figure begins with events following the S phase, so the chromosomes are
duplicated at this stage. The questions that follow will take you through this figure step-by-step.
18.Many of the events of mitosis depend on the mitotic spindle. In animal cells, the assembly of spindle
microtubules starts at the centrosome. What is another name for the centrosome?
(p. 194)
19.What is the function of the centrosomes?
20.Sketch and label a centrosome with two centrioles.
21.Describe what happens to the centrosome during prophase.
22.What is a kinetochore? Read your text carefully, and then make a labeled sketch that shows a duplicated
chromosome with two kinetochores and some attached spindle fibers. Figure 9.8 in your text will help.
23.Use Figure 9.7 in your text to help you complete this chart. Label each phase by name; then label the
smaller structures. Finally, make two or three summary statements that indicate important features to note
about the phase.
Phase Important Features of Phase
Phase Important Features of Phase
24.Visual Skills:
a. How many molecules of DNA are in the prometaphase drawing?
b. How many molecules of DNA per chromosome?
c. How many double helices are there per chromosome?
d. Per chromatid?
25.Explain the difference between kinetochore and nonkinetochore microtubules. What is the function of each?
26.Using Inquiry Figure 9.9 in your text, explain how evidence was gathered to justify the claim that
microtubules depolymerize from the kinetochore end during anaphase.
27.Describe cytokinesis in an animal cell. Make a labeled sketch that shows the cleavage
furrow.
28.Describe cytokinesis in a plant cell. Make a labeled sketch that shows the cell plate.
29.How is the cell plate formed? What is the source of the material for the cell plate?
30.Prokaryote reproduction does not involve mitosis, but instead occurs by binary fission. This process
involves an origin of replication. Describe binary fission.
31.STUDY TIP At this point, you should be able to describe the events of the cell cycle. To demonstrate this,
use a full sheet of paper and your colored pencils to create a visual study guide as described on p.188.
Concept 9.3 The eukaryotic cell cycle is regulated by a molecular control system
32.What controls the cell cycle? Study Inquiry Figure 9.14 in your text to help you answer this question.
33.What is a cell cycle checkpoint?
34.Summarize what happens at each checkpoint. You may add to this chart as you study this section.
Checkpoint What Happens? How Is It Controlled?
G1
G2
M
35.What is the function of a protein kinase? (Recall that we discussed protein kinases in Chapter 5 also.
Regardless of their location, their function is always the same.)
36.What is the Go phase? Describe this phase. What cell types remain in this phase throughout their life spans?
37.What happens if all the chromosome kinetochores are not attached to spindle fibers? When this occurs,
which checkpoint is not passed?
38.What are growth factors? How does platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulate
fibroblast division?
39.Cancer cells exhibit different behaviors than normal cells. Here are two normal behaviors they no longer
show. Explain each behavior and tell how its loss affects normal cell behavior.
density-dependent inhibition:
anchorage dependence:
40.Cancer cells also show loss of cell cycle controls and may divide without being checked. The story of HeLa
cells is significant. What is their source? How long have they been reproducing in culture? Note that, unlike
normal cells, HeLa cells are immortal!
41.What is transformation?
42.Distinguish between a benign tumor and a malignant tumor.
43.What is metastasis?
44.List two specific cancer treatments and explain how each treatment works.
Test Your Understanding, p. 205
Now you should be ready to test your knowledge. Place your answers here:
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