Cell Division Notes

 

Most of a cell’s life is spent during interphase (see Fig. 1), where a cell undergoes its normal function (ex.  Protein synthesis, replication, nerve cells carry impulses, muscles cells move, pancreas cells secrete enzymes, skin cells protect, leaf cells carry out photosynthesis).

 

Certain conditions cause a cell to divide.  If these conditions exist a cell enters cell division, where one cell divides into two new identical but smaller cells.

 

            Fig. 1

Cell division can be divided into two parts:

1) mitosis-division of the nucleus                      

2) cytokinesis-division of the cytoplasm

 

Cytokinesis looks a little different in a plant cell, since plant cells have rigid cell walls.

Cytokinesis begins during the end of mitosis.