Download The Cell Cycle

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The Cell Cycle:
Purpose: 1. To explain the six steps of the cell cycle
2. To explain the four phases of mitosis, and the cellular events that occur during each phase.
Background Information: As you know when cells reach a certain size – i.e. they become too large, and the
surface area to volume becomes too small – they must divide into two cells. Cell division a part of the cell
cycle is essential for the growth and development of an organism. However, no cell lives forever.
In prokaryotic cells, cell division is called binary fission, and is accomplished in two fairly
simple stages:
1. DNA is copied, and then
2. the cell splits
In eukaryotic cells, the cell cycle is a series of six phases
1. Interphase – Cell grows and develops until it reaches maximum capacity. Chromosomes
replicate so that each consists of two identical strands known as chromatids. The strands are
joined together by a centromere.
2. Mitosis – a process of four phases in which the nucleus of eukaryotic cell divides into
two nuclei each containing a complete and identical set of the cell’s
chromosomes.
3. Cytokinesis – occurs after mitosis
a. in animal cells, the cells actually pinch in two
b. in plant cells, a new cell wall is constructed through the middle of the cell
The end result is two new daughter cells with an identical number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
Materials: cutouts, scissors, glue, paper, color pencils
Procedure:
1. Cut out the pictures of the cells, and put them in the order of the cell cycle.
2. Cut out the text block descriptions and place them below the correct picture.
3. Cut out the phase names and place them above the appropriate picture and text block.
4. Cut out the term labels, and label the appropriate structures on the diagrams.
5. After placement, and teacher review, glue the cut outs to the piece of paper.
6. Draw arrows showing the correct sequencing of the cell cycle, and put a title on your paper.
7. Glue questions and answers on back of POSTER!
Analysis:
1. What event takes place BEFORE mitosis?
2. What are the four phases of mitosis?
3. What event takes place AFTER mitosis?
4. How does plant cell division differ from animal cell division?
5. How does cell division differ between prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
6. During which phase do the spindle fibers form?
7. During which phase do the chromosomes line up along the equator of the cell?
8. A single human cell has 46 chromosomes in a jumbled mass called chromatin. After duplication how many
chromatids are there? How many pairs of chromosomes are there?
9. After mitosis, how many new daughter cells form? In the human cells, how many chromosomes would each
one of them have?
TEXT BOXES:
Term Labels:
Cell Membrane
Nucleus
Membrane
Chromatid
Chromosomes
Centrioles
Centromeres
Equator
Fibers
Phase Name Labels:
Interphase Anaphase
Prophase Telophase
Metaphase Cytokinensis
Descriptions:
The chromatids separate and are pulled to
opposite sides of the cell by the fibers
attached to the centrioles.
Each chromosome, attached to spindle fibers,
lines up in the center of the cell (along the
cell’s equator).
Chromosomes coil and become shorter and
thicker. The nuclear membrane dissolves.
Centrioles move toward opposite sides of cell.
As the centrioles move apart fibers form in
between them. The centromere’s of the
chromosomes attach to the fibers.
Each side of cell now has a complete set of
chromosomes. The nuclear membrane reforms
around each set of chromosomes, the
chromosomes uncoil, and the spindle fibers
disappear. This is the final stage phase of
mitosis.
In animal cells, the cells actually pinch in two
and in plant cells a wall forms between the new
cells. The cell cycle is complete. New cells
begin their own life cycle.
Cell grows and develops until it reaches
maximum capacity. Chromosomes replicate so
that each consists of two identical strands
known as chromatids. The strands are joined
together by a centromere.
Extra Diagram