Cell Division : Mitotic cell cycle : 1.Prophase 2. Metaphase 3.Anaphase 4. Telophase

Plant Cell Division

Cell Cycle

As we have discussed in the earlier chapter, the cell cycle amazingly follows a regular timing mechanism. Most eukaryotic cells live according to an internal clock, that is, they proceed through a sequence of phases, called the cell cycle. During the cell cycle DNA is duplicated during the synthesis(S) phase and the copies are distributed to the daughter cells during mitotic(M) phase. Most growing plant and animal cells take 10-20 hours to double in number and some duplicate at a much slower rate.

A multi cellular organism usually starts it's life as a single cell (zygote). The multiplication of this single cell and it's descendants determine the growth and development of the organism and this is achieved by cell division. Cell division is a complex process by which cellular material is equally divided between daughter cells. Cell division in living things are of three kinds. They are 1.Amitosis 2.Mitosis 3. Meiosis.

Amitosis

It is a simple type of division where the cell contents including nucleus divide into two equal halves by an inwardly growing constriction in the middle of the cell. This type of cell division is common in prokaryotes.

Mitotic cell cycle

It is represented by DNA duplication followed by nuclear division (Karyokinesis) which in turn is followed by cytokinesis. Mitotic cell division was first described by W. Flemming in 1882. In the same year, mitosis in plants was described by Strasburger.

In plants, active mitotic cell division takes place in apices. In higher animals mitotic cell division is said to be diffused, distributed all over the body.

Mitotic cell cycle consists of long interphase(which is sub divided into G1, S and G2 phases), a short M stage (or mitotic stage, subdivided into prophase metaphase, anaphase and telophase) and cytokinesis. The duration of interphase and M-phase varies in different cells.

Interphase

It is the stage in between two successive cell divisions during which the cell prepares itself for the process by synthesizing new nucleic acids and proteins. Chromosomes appear as chromatin network. Interphase consists of the following three sub stages.

i) G1  or Gap-1 phase

This phase starts immediately after cell division. The cell grows in size and there is synthesis of new proteins and RNA needed for various metabolic activities of the cell. A non-dividing cell does not proceed beyond G1 phase. The differentiating cells are said to be in G0 stage.

ii) S-or Synthetic Phase

During this phase there is duplication of DNA. Thus each chromosome now is composedof two sister chromatids.

iii) G2  or Gap-2Phase

The proteins responsible for the formation of spindle fibres are synthesised during this stage.

Mitosis

Mitosis is divided into the following 4 sub stages.

1.Prophase     2. Metaphase    3. Anaphase         4. Telophase

1. Prophase

The chromatin network begins to coil and each chromosome becomes distinct as long thread like structure. Each chromosome at this stage has two chromatids that lie side by side and held together by centromere. The nucleus gradually disappears. The nuclear membrane also starts disappearing.

2. Metaphase

The disappearance of nuclear membrane and nucleolus marks the beginning of metaphase.The chromosomes become shorter by further coiling. Finally, the chromosomes become distinct and visible under compound microscope. The chromosomes orient themselves in the equator of the cell in such a way that all the centromeres are arranged in the equator forming metaphase plate or equatorial plate. Out of the two chromatids of each chromosome, one faces one pole and the other one faces the opposite pole. At the same time spindle fibres arising from the opposite poles are seen attached to the centromeres. The fibres are made up of proteins rich in sulphur containing amino acids.

At late metaphase, the centromeres divide and now the chromatids of each chromosome are ready to be separated.

3. Anaphase

Division of centromere marks the beginning of anaphase. The spindle fibres start contracting and this contraction pulls the two groups of chromosomes towards the opposite poles. As the chromosomes move toward opposite poles they assume V or J or I shaped configuration with the centromere proceeding towards the poles with chromosome arms trailing behind. Such variable shapes of the chromosomes are due to the variable position of centromere.

Telophase

At the end of anaphase, chromosomes reach the opposite poles and they uncoil, elongate and become thin and invisible. The nuclear membrane and the nucleouls reappear. thus, two daughter nuclei are formed, one at each pole.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplam is called cytokinesis and it follows the nuclear division by the formation of cell wall between the two daughter nuclei. The formation of cell wall begins as a cell plate also known as phragmoplast formed by the aggregation of vesicles produced by Golgi bodies. These vesicles which contain cell wall materials fuse with one another to form cellmembranes and cell walls. Thus, at the end of mitosis, two identical daughter cells are formed.

Significance of Mitosis

   As a result of mitosis two daughter cells which are identical to each other and identical to the mother cell are formed.

   Mitotic cell division ensures that the daughter cells possess a genetical identity, both quantitatively and qualitatively.

   Mitosis forms the basis of continuation of organisms.

   Asexual reproduction of lower plants is possible only by mitosis.

   Vegetative reproduction in higher plants by grafting, tissue culture method are also a consequence of mitosis.

   Mitosis is the common method of multiplication of cells that helps in the growth and development of multi-cellular organism.

   Mitosis helps in the regeneration of lost of damaged tissue and in wound healing.

   The chromosomal number is maintained constant by mitosis for each species.