CHAPTER 11

LESSON
Cell Growth, Division, and
1 Reproduction
 READING TOOL Compare and Contrast  As you read, identify the similarities and differences
between sexual and asexual reproduction. Include the advantages and disadvantages of each
method. Take notes in the Venn diagram below.

Asexual Reproduction Both Asexual Sexual Reproduction

and Sexual
Reproduction

In the space provided, describe an organism that uses both asexual and sexual reproduction.

Lesson Summary
Limits to Cell Size
KEY QUESTION What are some of the difficulties a cell faces As you read, circle
as it increases in size? the answers to each Key
Question. Underline any
As a cell becomes larger, it is less efficient at moving nutrients
words you do not understand.
into the cell and waste material out of the cell because the
surface area does not grow as quickly as the volume. In
addition, as a cell grows, it places increasing demands on its
own DNA. Therefore, complex living things grow in size by
producing more cells rather than by increasing cell size.
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 READING TOOL A Problem of Size  The larger a cell becomes, the less
Cause and Effect efficient it is in moving nutrients and wastes across its cell
Cells can only grow so big until membrane. Food, oxygen, and water enter through the cell
they become inefficient.  Using membrane, and waste products leave the cell the same way.
a cause-and-effect statement, The total area of the cell membrane, known as the surface
explain the cause of limited
area, determines how fast this transportation of materials
cell size.
occurs. The volume of the cell determines how much food
material is needed and how much waste is produced. As the
cell gets larger, both the surface area and the volume of the cell
increase, but not at an equal rate.

Ratio of Surface Area to Volume  Imagine that a cell is

cube shaped. The surface area and volume can be calculated
as the cell grows, and the surface area and volume amounts
can be compared as a ratio. The growth of the cell membrane
(surface area) does not increase as fast as the inside of the cell
(volume) and the cell cannot function well as a result.

Traffic Problems  One problem resulting from the volume

increasing faster than the surface area of a cell is the decrease
of “traffic flow” of nutrients and waste. The surface area of the
cell membrane is the “road” into the cell. If the membrane is
not large enough, proper passage of enough nutrients and
wastes cannot occur.

Visual Reading Tool: Surface Area to Volume Ratio in Cells

1. For a cell to function efficiently, the surface-area-to-volume ratio needs to be large. In

the table below, determine the surface area to volume ratio and write the ratio in the box
provided. Don’t forget units, and make sure the final ratio is in relation to 1.

Ratio of Surface Area to Volume in Cells

1 cm 2 cm 3 cm
1 cm
1 cm
2 cm
2 cm
3 cm
3 cm

Surface Area
(length 3 width) 3 3 5 3 3 5 3 3 5
3 6 sides
Volume
(length 3 width 3 3 5 3 3 5 3 3 5
3 height)

Ratio of Surface
Area to Volume
/ 5 : / 5 : / 5 :

2. What happens to the surface-area-to-volume ratio as the cell increases in size? Will the cell
continue to function efficiently as the cell size gets larger and larger?

128  Chapter 11  Cell Growth and Division Copyright Copyright © by Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Information Overload  Referring to the town analogy in
Figure 11-3, access to information is critical to run the town
efficiently. If the town grows quickly but its library stays the
same, there will not be enough information to serve the
population. Cells store critical information in a molecule known
as DNA. The information in DNA directs all the cell’s functions,
but it does not increase in size as the cell increases in size. The
cell solves this “information crisis” by creating a duplicate copy
of the DNA and dividing it among two new cells so that each
new cell has its own copy of the DNA.

Cell Division  To function efficiently, the cell divides into two

new daughter cells through a process called cell division. First, Build Vocabulary
DNA is copied through a process called DNA replication, resulting
cell division  process in which a
in a complete set of the DNA for each new daughter cell. Then the cell divides into two new identical
cell splits in two. Cell division reduces the cell volume, resulting in daughter cells
efficient exchange of materials between the cell membrane and its asexual reproduction  process
environment. Cells easily obtain nutrients like oxygen, water, and of reproduction involving a single
food and quickly eliminate cellular waste products. parent that results in offspring that
are genetically identical to the
parent
Cell Division and Reproduction sexual reproduction  type of
reproduction in which cells from
KEY QUESTION How do asexual and sexual reproduction two parents unite to form the first
compare? cell of a new organism

Both sexual and asexual reproduction result in new individuals. Word Origins  The word divide
is based upon the Latin word
Asexual reproduction produces offspring identical to the parent dividere, which means ”to force
by cell division. In sexual reproduction, reproductive cells from apart or remove.”  What needs
two parents are fused to form a new individual. to be duplicated before a cell
To form new individuals, all organisms must be able to can go through cell division?
reproduce. There are two types of reproduction, asexual and
sexual reproduction.

Asexual Reproduction  Asexual reproduction is the

production of genetically identical offspring from a single
parent. Asexual reproduction in single-celled organisms occurs
through cell division.

Sexual Reproduction  Sexual reproduction involves

the fusion of two reproductive cells from each of two parents.
Offspring produced by sexual reproduction inherit some of their
genetic information from each parent.

Comparing Asexual and Sexual Reproduction  The

advantages of asexual reproduction include quick and
successful reproduction when conditions are ideal, which allows
offspring to survive when in competition with other organisms.
The lack of genetic diversity may prevent them from surviving if
conditions change.
Sexual reproduction produces genetic diversity. If an
environment changes, genetic diversity in a species may help to
ensure that the individual members of the population contain
the right combination of characteristics needed to survive.

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CHAPTER 11
LESSON

2 The Process of Cell Division

 READING TOOL Sequence of Events  In the cell cycle diagram below, each section represents
the relative time the cell spends in each stage. In the following diagram, write in each of the
following phases:

a. Interphase
b. G1 phase
c. S
d. G2
e. M phase
f. Mitosis
g. Cytokinesis
h. Cell division

Lesson Summary
Chromosomes
As you read, circle
the KEY QUESTION What is the role of chromosomes in cell
answers to each Key division?
Question. Underline any
Cells must divide to function efficiently. Each new daughter cell
words you do not understand.
needs a complete set of genetic information for cell growth
and function. The genetic information is bundled into packages
of DNA called chromosomes. When DNA is organized into
chromosomes, it is easier for the cell to divide the genetic
material equally between the two daughter cells.

BUILD Vocabulary Prokaryotic Chromosomes  The circular chromosome

found in prokaryotic cells contains almost all of the genetic
chromosome  threadlike structure
within the nucleus that contains information and is not enclosed in a nucleus.
genetic information that is passed
on from one generation to the next Eukaryotic Chromosomes  The DNA strands in eukaryotic
chromatin  substance found in cells are tightly bound to proteins called histones, creating a
eukaryotic chromosomes that complex called chromatin. Histones and DNA coil tightly together,
consists of DNA tightly coiled forming beadlike structures called nucleosomes, which condense
around histones
to form thick fibers called chromosomes. The X-like chromosome
is actually a duplicated chromosome connected together.
130  Chapter 11  Cell Growth and Division Copyright Copyright © by Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved.
The Cell Cycle
KEY QUESTION What are the main events of the cell cycle?
During the cell cycle, a cell grows, prepares for division, and
then divides to form two daughter cells. There are 4 main
phases of the cell cycle: G1, S, G2, and M.

Prokaryotic Cell Cycle  The prokaryotic cell cycle takes

place very quickly when conditions are ideal. As the cell grows
and functions, it reaches a certain size and begins to copy its BUILD Vocabulary
DNA. When DNA replication is complete, the cell divides by cell cycle  series of events in which
binary fission, which is a form of asexual reproduction. The a cell grows, prepares for division,
and divides to form two daughter
two copies of the DNA attach to different regions of the cell
cells
membrane. The cell membrane then pinches inward between
interphase  the longest period of
the two regions to divide the cytoplasm. The two resulting the cell cycle, where the stages G1,
daughter cells have identical copies of the DNA and equal S, and G2 take place
amounts of cytoplasm. mitosis  part of eukaryotic cell
division during which the cell
Eukaryotic Cell Cycle  The four stages of the eukaryotic nucleus divides
cell cycle are G1, S, G2, and M. The longest period of the cell cytokinesis  division of the
cycle, called interphase, includes the G1, S, and G2 phases. cytoplasm to form two separate
daughter cells
G1: Cell Growth  Cell Growth is the period of cell growth in Prefixes  The prefix inter- means
which the cell increases in size and makes new organelles. “between” or “among.” Interphase
during the cell cycle takes place
between cell divisions and is when
S: DNA Replication  DNA replication is the stage of the the cell grows in preparation of
cell cycle that results in two complete sets of DNA ready to be cytokinesis.  What other words
divided between the daughter cells. do you know that begin with
the prefix inter- that describe
G2: Preparing for Cell Division  The preparation time for something that is between
other things?
cell division is when the organelles and molecules needed to
carry out cell division are made.

M phase: Cell Division  Mitosis is the division of the cell

nucleus, and the division of the cytoplasm is called cytokinesis.

Mitosis
KEY QUESTION What happens during the phases of mitosis?
Mitosis is the segment of the cell cycle during which the division
of the cell nucleus occurs. Mitosis is divided into four phases:
prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
During prophase, the duplicated chromosomes become
visible. In metaphase, the centromeres of the duplicated
chromosomes line up. In anaphase, the chromosomes separate
and move to opposite ends of the cell. During telophase, the
chromosomes spread out into a tangle of chromatin.

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 Visual Reading Tool: Mitosis

Label the diagram above with the four stages of mitosis. Then, in the space provided below,
describe what happens in each stage of mitosis.

Prophase: 

Metaphase: 

Anaphase: 

Telophase: 

132  Chapter 11  Cell Growth and Division Copyright Copyright © by Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Prophase  The genetic material inside the nucleus condenses
and the duplicate chromosomes become visible during the first BUILD Vocabulary
stage of mitosis called prophase. At the beginning of prophase,
prophase  first and longest
the sister chromatids, or strands of condensed chromosomes, phase of mitosis in which the
become visible. They are attached to each other at a point genetic material inside the nucleus
called the centromere. In the cytoplasm, two tiny organelles, condenses and the chromosomes
called centrioles, are involved in developing spindle fibers that become visible
span across the cell. chromatid  one of two identical
“sister” parts of a duplicated
chromosome
Metaphase  During metaphase, the spindle fibers move
the centromeres of the duplicated chromosomes to the center centromere  region of a
chromosome where the two sister
of the cell. These spindle fibers are connected to the two chromatids attach
poles near the centrioles and are ready to separate the sister
centriole  structure in an animal
chromatids. cell that helps to organize cell
division
Anaphase  During anaphase, the chromosomes separate metaphase  phase of mitosis in
and move along the spindle fibers to opposite ends of the cell. which the chromosomes line up
Anaphase ends when the sister chromatids, now considered across the center of the cell
individual chromosomes, are completely separated into two anaphase  phase of mitosis in
groups and the spindle fibers have almost disappeared. which the chromosomes separate
and move to opposite ends of the
cell
Telophase  During telophase, the chromosomes, which
were distinct and condensed, begin to spread out into a tangle telophase  phase of mitosis
in which the distinct individual
of chromatin. This is the final stage of mitosis. The nuclear chromosomes begin to spread out
envelope is reconstructed and the nucleolus becomes visible in into a tangle of chromatin
each new cell. Prefixes  In biology, the prefix
telo- means “end” or “completion.”

Cytokinesis  What occurs during

telophase that signifies the end
of mitosis?
KEY QUESTION How do daughter cells split apart after
mitosis?
In plants, cytokinesis separates the cells by forming a cell plate
between the divided nuclei. In animals, cytokinesis draws the
membrane inward to separate the cells.
During the M phase of the cell cycle, mitosis forms two
nuclei, each with a complete set of the DNA. The last segment
of the M phase is cytokinesis. Cytokinesis completes the
process of cell division by dividing one cell into two.  READING TOOL
Compare and Contrast
Cytokinesis in Animal Cells  The cell membrane is drawn
 How do chromosomes differ
inward and pinched into two new daughter cells. Each cell in prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
contains the new nucleus formed during mitosis and an equal
amount of cytoplasm.

Cytokinesis in Plants  Because of the rigid cell wall

surrounding the cell membrane in plant cells, pinching from
the outside inward cannot occur. A cell plate forms halfway
between the two nuclei and gradually expands toward and
fuses with the existing cell membranes. A new cell wall then
forms to separate the two daughter cells.

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