A-Level Biology AQA Notes
3.2.2 All cells arise from other cells
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Cell Division
- Within multicellular organisms, not all cells retain the ability to divide
- The eukaryotic cell cycle has three main stages:
- Interphase consists of two growth phases (G1& G2) and a DNA synthesis stage (S). The cell may exit the cell cycle at G0
- Mitosis is the nuclear division
- Cytokinesis is when the cell splits in two, forming two identical daughter cells.
Stage | Description |
Prophase | DNA condenses & coils, nuclear envelope breaks down, centrioles move to opposite poles |
Metaphase | Spindle fibres attach to centromeres & chromosomes line at the equator |
Anaphase | Centromeres divides, chromatids move to opposite poles |
Telophase | Chromosomes uncoil, nuclear envelope reforms |
- Cancerous cells have uncontrolled cell division and hence have a modified cell cycle – one that repeats too quickly.
- Treatments for cancer involve disrupting the cell cycle (chemotherapy) by stopping DNA synthesis or by changing the cytoskeleton in mitosis
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