Unit 5: Cell Reproduction: Mitosis
Reading
BJU Biology: Ch. 5A - "Genes, Chromosomes, and Cell Division" (1st half of Ch. 5) and section 6.3 - "Gene Expression"
AP: OpenStax Biology Ch. 9 "Cell Communication" and Ch. 10 "Cell Reproduction"
Topics
Labs
Possible labs
BJU Biology: Ch. 5A - "Genes, Chromosomes, and Cell Division" (1st half of Ch. 5) and section 6.3 - "Gene Expression"
AP: OpenStax Biology Ch. 9 "Cell Communication" and Ch. 10 "Cell Reproduction"
Topics
- The cell cycle
- Cell division
Labs
Possible labs
- Gene Switches lab
- Mitosis lab with Henrietta Lacks (HeLa) Case Study (aligns with AP "dirty dozen lab" #7)
- HHMI - The Eukaryotic Cell Cycle and Cancer (has both 'regular' and 'AP' lab reports). Instructions are posted in the next unit.
- Univ. of Arizona Karyotyping WebLab
|
|
Introduction
Cells divide and multiply. They do this 1) to replace damaged tissues, 2) to replace old worn-out cells, 3) to permit growth of an organism, and 4) to simply replicate themselves, as in the case of bacteria.
The body cells in a eukaryotic organism (humans, whales, and corn plants) divide/replicate and arrange themselves in organized structures, called tissues. This cell division process is called mitosis. In contrast, a single-celled prokaryotic organism (for example bacteria) divides in a process called binary fission.
During mitosis, the nucleus and its contents must be carefully divided between the two, new daughter cells. This means that all the chromosomes must be lined up in a 'dance' and carefully pulled apart - using very interesting cell machinery and feedback mechanisms (see the animation video below). When you see and begin to understand the complexity and beauty of this molecular-scale process, biology and biotechnology become extremely interesting!
Lab: The topic of cell division is critical to understanding cancer, which is actually 200 separate diseases which affect various tissues in the body. Part of our lab will be an interesting case study on a famous woman named Henrietta Lacks.
Cells divide and multiply. They do this 1) to replace damaged tissues, 2) to replace old worn-out cells, 3) to permit growth of an organism, and 4) to simply replicate themselves, as in the case of bacteria.
The body cells in a eukaryotic organism (humans, whales, and corn plants) divide/replicate and arrange themselves in organized structures, called tissues. This cell division process is called mitosis. In contrast, a single-celled prokaryotic organism (for example bacteria) divides in a process called binary fission.
During mitosis, the nucleus and its contents must be carefully divided between the two, new daughter cells. This means that all the chromosomes must be lined up in a 'dance' and carefully pulled apart - using very interesting cell machinery and feedback mechanisms (see the animation video below). When you see and begin to understand the complexity and beauty of this molecular-scale process, biology and biotechnology become extremely interesting!
Lab: The topic of cell division is critical to understanding cancer, which is actually 200 separate diseases which affect various tissues in the body. Part of our lab will be an interesting case study on a famous woman named Henrietta Lacks.
The cell cycle: "I Perfectly Played My Accordion Today"
Interphase consists of:
Mitotic phase consists of prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase
The cell must pass quality-control "checkpoints" along the way (G1, G2, M) before going on to the next phase of the cell cycle - just like a factory does.
- Interphase
- Prometaphase
- Prophase
- Metaphase
- Anaphase
- Telophase
Interphase consists of:
- G1 phase - cell growth
- S phase - the DNA replicates
- G2 phase - cell gets ready for mitosis, or cell division
Mitotic phase consists of prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase
- This is where the nucleus and its contents get carefully divided
- A lot of very interesting, complex nanomachines are involved in this process, as we will see from the video clips
The cell must pass quality-control "checkpoints" along the way (G1, G2, M) before going on to the next phase of the cell cycle - just like a factory does.
| Lecture slides: Mitosis |
Videos below: we will spend some time reviewing/discussing these clips in class
Below: another excellent 4-min. video on Mitosis (Cell Division)
Homework
| 7._mitosis_homework_questions_rev._2022.docx |
Mitosis and Meiosis Lab (aligns with AP Bio lab #7)
- Part 1: Modeling mitosis and meiosis with pipe cleaner chromosomes
- Part 2: Karyotyping simulation: You will evaluate 3 patients' case histories, complete their karyotypes, and diagnose any missing or extra chromosomes. Link to Univ. of Arizona Karyotyping Simulation
- Part 3: HeLa Cells case study (see instructions below). HeLa cells are cervical cancer cells isolated from a woman named Henrietta Lacks. Her cells have been cultured since 1951 and used in numerous scientific experiments since then. Henrietta Lacks died from her cancer not long after her cells were isolated. Lacks' cancer cells contain remnants of human papillomavirus (HPV), which we now know increases the risk of cervical cancer.
HeLa Cells case study
Our Henrietta Lacks case study will explore a controversial episode involving a cancer patient
Our Henrietta Lacks case study will explore a controversial episode involving a cancer patient
| henrietta_lacks_case_study_2022.docx |