Which stage in the cell cycle occurs only once in both mitosis and meiosis?

anaphase: the stage of mitosis during which sister chromatids are separated from each other

cell cycle: the ordered sequence of events that a cell passes through between one cell division and the next

cell cycle checkpoints: mechanisms that monitor the preparedness of a eukaryotic cell to advance through the various cell cycle stages

cell plate: a structure formed during plant-cell cytokinesis by Golgi vesicles fusing at the metaphase plate; will ultimately lead to formation of a cell wall to separate the two daughter cells

centriole: a paired rod-like structure constructed of microtubules at the center of each animal cell centrosome

cleavage furrow: a constriction formed by the actin ring during animal-cell cytokinesis that leads to cytoplasmic division

cytokinesis: the division of the cytoplasm following mitosis to form two daughter cells

G0 phase: a cell-cycle phase distinct from the G1 phase of interphase; a cell in G0 is not preparing to divide

G1 phase: (also, first gap) a cell-cycle phase; first phase of interphase centered on cell growth during mitosis

G2 phase: (also, second gap) a cell-cycle phase; third phase of interphase where the cell undergoes the final preparations for mitosis

interphase: the period of the cell cycle leading up to mitosis; includes G1, S, and G2 phases; the interim between two consecutive cell divisions

kinetochore: a protein structure in the centromere of each sister chromatid that attracts and binds spindle microtubules during prometaphase

metaphase plate: the equatorial plane midway between two poles of a cell where the chromosomes align during metaphase

metaphase: the stage of mitosis during which chromosomes are lined up at the metaphase plate

mitosis: the period of the cell cycle at which the duplicated chromosomes are separated into identical nuclei; includes prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase

mitotic phase: the period of the cell cycle when duplicated chromosomes are distributed into two nuclei and the cytoplasmic contents are divided; includes mitosis and cytokinesis

mitotic spindle: the microtubule apparatus that orchestrates the movement of chromosomes during mitosis

prometaphase: the stage of mitosis during which mitotic spindle fibers attach to kinetochores

prophase: the stage of mitosis during which chromosomes condense and the mitotic spindle begins to form

quiescent: describes a cell that is performing normal cell functions and has not initiated preparations for cell division

S phase: the second, or synthesis phase, of interphase during which DNA replication occurs

telophase: the stage of mitosis during which chromosomes arrive at opposite poles, decondense, and are surrounded by new nuclear envelopes

Cells divide and reproduce in two ways, mitosis and meiosis. Mitosis results in two identical daughter cells, whereas meiosis results in four sex cells. Below we highlight the keys differences and similarities between the two types of cell division.

 

Most cells grow, perform the activities needed to survive, and divide to create new cells. These basic processes, known collectively as the cell cycle, are repeated throughout the life of a cell. Of the various parts of the cell cycle, the division portion is particularly important, because this is the point at which a cell passes its genetic information to its offspring cells. In many situations, division also ensures that new cells are available to replace the older cells within an organism whenever those cells die.

Prokaryotic cells, which include bacteria, undergo a type of cell division known as binary fission. This process involves replication of the cell's chromosomes, segregation of the copied DNA, and splitting of the parent cell's cytoplasm. The outcome of binary fission is two new cells that are identical to the original cell.

In contrast to prokaryotic cells, eukaryotic cells may divide via either mitosis or meiosis. Of these two processes, mitosis is more common. In fact, whereas only sexually reproducing eukaryotes can engage in meiosis, all eukaryotes — regardless of size or number of cells — can engage in mitosis. But how does this process proceed, and what sorts of cells does it produce?

What happens during mitosis?

During mitosis, a eukaryotic cell undergoes a carefully coordinated nuclear division that results in the formation of two genetically identical daughter cells. Mitosis itself consists of five active steps, or phases: prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Before a cell can enter the active phases of mitosis, however, it must go through a period known as interphase, during which it grows and produces the various proteins necessary for division. Then, at a critical point during interphase (called the S phase), the cell duplicates its chromosomes and ensures its systems are ready for cell division. If all conditions are ideal, the cell is now ready to move into the first phase of mitosis.

Prometaphase

After prophase is complete, the cell enters prometaphase. During prometaphase, the nuclear membrane disintegrates and the mitotic spindle gains access to the chromosomes. During this phase, a protein structure called the kinetochore is associated with the centromere on each sister chromatid. Stringlike structures called microtubules grow out from the spindle and connect to the sister chromatids at their kinetochores; one microtubule from one side of the spindle attaches to one sister chromatid in each chromosome, and one microtubule from the other side of the spindle attaches to the other sister chromatid (Figure 3a).

Metaphase

Anaphase

After metaphase is complete, the cell enters anaphase. During anaphase, the microtubules attached to the kinetochores contract, which pulls the sister chromatids apart and toward opposite poles of the cell (Figure 3c). At this point, each chromatid is considered a separate chromosome.

Telophase

Why is mitosis important?

As previously mentioned, most eukaryotic cells that are not involved in the production of gametes undergo mitosis. These cells, known as somatic cells, are important to the survival of eukaryotic organisms, and it is essential that somatic parent and daughter cells do not vary from one another. With few exceptions, the mitotic process ensures that this is the case. Therefore, mitosis ensures that each successive cellular generation has the same genetic composition as the previous generation, as well as an identical chromosome set.

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