Cell Division - Definition, Types, Functions, Significance

If you are looking for cell division, you have come to the right place! Cell division will be discussed in this article. A cell (the mother cell) dividing to produce at least two daughter cells is the biological process of cell division. The mother cell can divide into two identical daughter cells or four genetically different daughter cells (meiosis) (mitosis or binary fission).

Cellular Respiration

Introduction

What is Cell Division?

Waste Management

Why do Cells Divide?

Types of Cell Division

• Mitosis: The process through which cells create identical copies of themselves. Almost all body cells undergo mitosis, including those in the eyes, skin, hair, and muscles.
• Meiosis: Unlike mitosis, which produces identical daughter cells, meiosis produces sperm or egg cells.
• Binary Fission: Single-celled organisms like bacteria duplicate themselves to reproduce

Functions of Cell Division

• Reproduction and the generation of new offspring.
• The organism's general growth and proliferation-promoting growth factors. Additionally, it is necessary to regenerate and repair harmed tissues and organs.
• Gametes are formed to pass on genetic information to the following generation.

Cell Division in Prokaryotes

• While mitosis is a process of cell division utilised for the growth and repair of a single organism or tissue, binary fission is an asexual reproduction method.
• In prokaryotes, binary fission occurs, whereas mitosis occurs in eukaryotes.
• There is no mitotic spindle in binary fission, and the duplication of the genetic material occurs concurrently with the division of the genetic material into the two daughter cells. However, in mitosis, the duplication of genetic material occurs during a distinct phase (S-phase), and the mitotic spindle divides the chromosomes across the daughter cells.

Centriole

• Cytoplasm split: The bacterial cell components begin to divide into two compartments that will eventually become the two daughter cells after the division process.
• Septum formation: between the two compartments, a dividing wall forms, separating the cytoplasm and its contents.
• Cell constriction: The septum pinches the mother cell as it narrows, causing it to divide into two daughter cells.

Eukaryotic Cell Division

Mitosis

• This follows interphase phases S and G2.
• Centrioles now begin to move in opposite directions toward the cell poles.
• Mitotic chromosomes are compact because chromosomal material condenses during prophase.
• Mitotic spindle construction begins with the assistance of microtubules.
• Organelles found in cells, such as the nuclear envelope, endoplasmic reticulum, nucleolus, and Golgi complex, are no longer present.

• Metaphase begins when the nuclear envelope completely disintegrates.
• The chromosomes are spread out throughout the cytoplasm of the cell.
• The chromosomes have finished condensing and are easily visible under a microscope.
• The easiest time to study chromosomal morphology is at this stage.
• The centromere keeps the two sister chromatids that make up the metaphase chromosome together at this time.

• Every chromosome assembled at the metaphase plate splits simultaneously at the beginning of anaphase, and the two daughter chromatids move in opposition.
• Each chromosome advances away from the equatorial plate, with its centre toward the pole and, hence, at the front edge and its arms trailing behind it.

• The chromosomes decondensed and form a chromatin network at their respective poles during the beginning of telophase.
• The nuclear envelope develops around the chromatin web.

Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration

Meiosis

Meiosis I

• Prophase I of the division meiosis is often lengthier and more complicated than prophase I of mitosis.
• Based on chromosomal behaviour, it is further classified into the following five phases.

• The bivalent chromosomes line up with the equatorial plate during metaphase I.
• The microtubules from the opposing spindle poles represent the pair of homologous chromosomes.

• The homologous chromosomes separate, but their centromere sister chromatids stay connected.

• Nuclear membrane and nucleolus re-appearance.
• Telophase I is followed by cytokinesis.
• The chromosomes do not reach the excessively stretched interphase nucleus condition, even though they frequently experience some dispersion. Interkinesis occurs between the two meiotic divisions and usually is a brief phase.
• Interkinesis follows prophase II, a considerably simpler prophase than prophase I.

Meiosis II

• Meiosis II begins right away after cytokinesis.
• The nuclear membrane vanishes by Prophase II's end.
• Chromosomes once more become condensed.

• In metaphase II, the chromosomes align at the equator, and microtubules link the sister chromatid kinetochores from opposing spindle poles.

• Centromere splitting occurs during anaphase II for each chromosome.
• Chromosomes travel in different directions toward the cell poles.

• The two chromosomal groups are enshrined within a nuclear sheath. Following the development of four haploid daughter cells, EOLBREAK Cytokinesis occurs.

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Significance of Cell Division

Significance of Mitosis

• In most cases, mitosis produces diploid daughter cells with the same genetic makeup.
• Mitosis is what drives the growth of multicellular organisms.
• The nucleus-cytoplasm ratio is impacted by cell growth. To re-establish the nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio, cells divide.
• Mitosis is crucial for cell healing. Blood cells, stomach lining cells, and the epidermis' top layer are constantly replaced.
• Plants continue to develop throughout their lives due to the apical and lateral shifts caused by mitotic variations in the meristematic tissues.

Significance of Meiosis

• Through meiosis, each species' unique chromosome counts are preserved over generations in sexually reproducing organisms.
• Additionally, it increases genetic variation from one generation to the next within the community of organisms. The evolution process depends heavily on variations.