Chapter 1.

CELL DIVISION
• INTRODUCTION:
Cell Division means the division of a cell for following
functions like Growth, Repair, Replacement Reproduction,
and Regeneration.
Cell Division takes place through cell cycle. Cell Cycle
consist of Interphase and Mitosis or Meiosis.
Interphase has 3 phases / stages:

(1). G 1 (Growth Phase / Gap 1)

(2). S - phase (Synthesis Phase
(3). G 2 (Gap 2)
If the cells are of somatic type or body cells then it undergoes
Mitosis and if the cells are germ cells or reproductive cells
then it undergoes Meiosis.
 INTERPHASE
• It is the longest phase in a Body (Somatic) cells & in
Germ (Reproductive) cells. The Eukaryotic cell
spends majority of time in this phase. It prepares
itself for cell division.
• Interphase is also considered to be the 'living' phase
of the cell, in which the cell obtains nutrients, grows,
reads its DNA, and conducts other "normal" cell
functions.
• Before dividing, each cell has to attain the same size
as its mother cell.
• It has 3 sub-stages:
a). G-1 Phase
b). S Phase (Synthesis Phase)
c). G-2 Phase
 G-1 PHASE
• It’s an initial growth phase or first growth
phase of the cell.
• The cell grows (to about double its original
size) - more organelles are produced,
increasing the volume of the cytoplasm.
• The amount of cytoplasm increases and cyto-
plasmic organelles like mitochondria etc….
replicates.
S-PHASE (Synthesis PHASE)
- Chromosomes are duplicated by the
synthesis of more DNA (Replication of DNA:
Semi-conservative replication takes place)
- Also known as SWANSON Phase
CELL CYCLE
• In addition, some cells that do not divide
often or ever, enter a stage called Go (Gap
zero), which is either a stage separate from
Interphase or an extended G1 phase, which
follows the restriction point, a cell cycle
checkpoint found at the end of G1.
• The duration of time spent in Interphase
and in each stage of Interphase is variable
and depends on both the type of cell and
the species of organism it belongs to. Most
cells of adult mammals spend about 20
hours in Interphase, this accounts for
about 90% of the total time involved in cell
division. (Mader, S. S. 2007)
• Body (Somatic) cells, or normal
diploid cells, go through Mitosis in
order to reproduce through cell
division, whereas diploid Germ cells
(i.e., primary spermatocytes and
primary oocytes) go through
Meiosis in order to create haploid
gametes (i.e., sperm and ova) for
the purpose of sexual reproduction.
 G-2 PHASE
• This growth phase is shorter.
• Proteins required for cell division are synthesized.
• Cell increases in size.
• Cells prepares itself to enter the next phase of division
“Mitosis”
• The nucleus of cell enlarges and a definite number of
fine, coiled thread like structures called chromosomes
become visible.
• In fact at the beginning of mitosis the nuclear material
has already doubled. This stage is called
INTERPHASE, also called the Resting Stage (but
active) when in fact the cell is synthesizing the
chromatin substance.
 Cell Division
• When the cell has reached certain level of
growth it enters the division phase
• Where through a sequence of events the
mature parent cell divides into two daughter
cells.
• These phases are of various durations in
different cells, but the basic outline of
sequences is the same.
• Cell division consists of two major stages:
1). Karyo-kinesis: Nuclear division where
nucleus divides into two.
2). Cyto-kinesis: Entire cells splits separating
each nuclei.