Question

discuss the behaviour of the chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis in each stage of cell division, including the similarities and differences between plant and animal cells. Ensure you cover: 

• Mitosis - interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase

• Meiosis - interphase, prophase I, metaphase I, anaphase I, telophase I, cytokinesis, interkinesis, prophase II, metaphase II, anaphase II, telophase II, cytokinesis

Answer 1

There is no so much differences in plants and animals chromosomal behaviors.

Mitosis Phases.

1. Prophase: Chromosomes condense and a pair of identical sister chromatids joined at the centromere.
2. Metaphase: The chromosomes lined up along the plane of cell division being pushed and pulled by the microtubules of the spindle apparatus.
3. Anaphase: Sister chromatids separates and move towards the opposite poles of the cell.
4. Telophase: Chromatids cluster at the opposite poles and begin to decondense.
5. Interphase: Cells grow and make a copy of it's DNA.

Meiosis Phases.

1. Interphase: Chromosomes duplicate. Microtubules extended from a pair of centrosomes.
2. Prophase I: Chromosomes condense and recombination occurs.
3. Metaphase I: Pairs of chromosomes aligns along the centre of the cell.
4. Anaphase I: Pair of chromosomes are pulled apart. One chromosome to one end of cell pole and the other to opposite pole.
5. Telophase I: Chromosomes complete their move towards opposite poles of the cell.
6. Cytokinesis: The single cell pinches in the middle to form two daughter cells with full set of chromosomes.
7. Interkinesis: The cell rest before they undergo meiosis II.
8. Prophase II: Cell condense again, membrane dissolves and chromosomes are released. The centriole duplicate and the meiotic spindle form again.
9. Metaphase II: The chromosomes in the two daughter cells line up along the equator of the cell. Meiotic spindle fibres attached to each daughter chromatids.
10. Anaphase II: Sister chromatids are pulled to opposite poles by meiotic spindle action. The separated chromatids then become individual chromosomes
11. Telophase II: Chromosomes complete their move towards opposite poles of the cell. Membrane form around each set of chromosomes to create two new cell nuclei.
12. Cytokinesis: Single cell the pinches in the middle to form two daughter cells with full set of chromosomes.