STA.

MARIA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

Sta. Maria, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte
Science 8 - 4th Quarter
2nd Week

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LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET
Cell Division

Background Information for Learners

The Cell Cycle

The cell cycle may be divided into two stages: the interphase, where the chromosomes are long and extended, referred to as
chromatin, and the cell division phase, where the chromosomes become condensed or thickened. The interphase refers to the
period that follows one cell division and precedes another. During this stage, the cell does not divide; it merely grows. The
chromosome produces an exact copy of itself.

The interphase is divided into three substages. The stage from the formation of a new cell until it begins to replicate its
DNA is called the first gap or G1, during which time the cell grows initially. This stage is characterized by protein and
ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthesis. RNA, which is synthesized based on the DNA, is then used to synthesized proteins.

The middle of the interphase, called the synthesis stage or S1, is the period of DNA synthesis or replication. The
chromosomes are duplicated in preparation for the next cell division. The second gap period, or G2, falls between the S
period and the next cell division or M (mitosis or meiosis) phase. G2 represents a period of rapid cell growth to prepare
for cell division.

Mitosis

It is the process in which a eukaryotic cell separates the chromosomes in its cell
nucleus into two identical sets in two daughter nuclei. It is generally followed
immediately by cytokinesis, which divides the nuclei, cytoplasm, organelles, and cell
membrane into two daughter cells containing roughly equal shares of these cellular
components. Mitosis and cytokinesis together define the mitotic (M) phase of the cell
cycle - the division of the mother cell into two daughter cells, genetically identical to
each other and to their parent cell. The process of mitosis is complex and highly
regulated. The sequence of events is divided into phases, corresponding to the
completion of one set of activities and the start of the next. These stages are prophase,
prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. During mitosis, the pairs of
chromosomes condense and attach to fibers that pull the sister chromatids to opposite
sides of the cell. The cell then divides in cytokinesis to produce two identical daughter
cells.

Meiosis I

Meiosis is the first of the two separate divisions during which the diploid cell
separates into two diploid cells. This is the step of meiosis where genetic variation is
created by recombination. It is often called the reduction division. This is because it is here that the chromosome
complement is reduced from diploid (two copies) to haploid (one copy). Interphase in meiosis is identical to
interphase in mitosis. At this stage, there is no way to determine what type of
division the cell will undergo when it divides. The meiotic division will only
occur in cells associated with male or female sex organs. Prophase I is virtually
identical to prophase in mitosis, involving the appearance of the chromosomes,
the development of the spindle apparatus, and the nuclear membrane's
breakdown. Metaphase I is where the critical difference occurs between meiosis
and mitosis. In mitosis, all the chromosomes line up on the metaphase plate in no
particular order. In Metaphase I, the chromosome pairs are aligned on either side
of the metaphase plate. During this alignment, the chromatid arms may overlap
and temporarily fuse, resulting in what is called crossovers. During Anaphase I,
the spindle fibers contract, pulling the homologous pairs away from each other
and toward each pole of the cell.

In Telophase I, a cleavage furrow typically forms, followed by

cytokinesis - the changes that occur in the cytoplasm of a cell during
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 nuclear division. Still, the nuclear membrane is usually not reformed, and the

chromosomes do not disappear. At the end of Telophase I, each daughter cell has a single set of chromosomes,
half the total number in the original cell, that is, while the original cell was diploid; the daughter cells are now
haploid.

Meiosis II

During Meiosis II, two diploid cells are then split into four haploid cells
during the second set of stages of meiosis. It is quite simply a mitotic division of
each of the haploid cells produced in Meiosis I. There is no Interphase between
Meiosis I and Meiosis II, and the latter begins with Prophase II. At this stage, a
new set of spindle fibers forms, and the chromosomes begin to move toward the
equator of the cell. During Metaphase II, all the chromosomes in the two cells
align with the metaphase plate. In Anaphase II, the centromeres split, and the
spindle fibers shorten, drawing the chromosomes toward each pole of the cell. In
Telophase II, a cleavage furrow develops, followed by cytokinesis and the
formation of the nuclear membrane. The chromosomes begin to fade and are
replaced by granular chromatin, a characteristic of interphase. When Meiosis II is
complete, there will be a total of four daughter cells, each with half the total
number of chromosomes as the original cell. In the case of male structures, all
four cells will eventually develop into sperm cells. In the case of the female life
cycles in higher organisms, three of the cells will typically abort, leaving a single
cell to develop into an egg cell, which is much larger than a sperm cell.

Most Essential Learning Competency with code

The learner should be able to compare between mitosis and meiosis and their role in cell division (S8LT-IVd-16).

Activity 1. Comparing mitosis and meiosis

Directions: Differentiate mitosis from meiosis. Write in the table the needed information to complete the task.

Basis of Comparison Mitosis Meiosis

Number of daughter cells produced

Number of chromosomes is halved. (Yes/No)

Pairing of homologous chromosomes takes

place. (Yes/ No)

The daughter cells produced are always

identical in terms of genetic material. (Yes/ No)

Assessment
Directions: Encircle the letter of the best answer.
1. What do you call the period between synthesis and mitosis?
A. G1 B. G2 C. Meiosis D. Prophase
2. If mitosis occurs in the body cells, where can meiosis do?
A. Organ cells B. Plant cells C. Sex cells D. Tissues
3.What do you call the transition of a cell from one to another?
A. Cancer cell B. Cell cycle C. Cell division D. Cell reproduction
4.Which is the genetic material that serves as the set of instruction that directs the activities and function of the cells?
A. Chromosomes B. DNA C. Heredity D. RNA
5.The passing on of traits from parents to offspring is known as______
A. Cell Division B. Genetics C. Heredity D. Variation

Reflection ( Fill in by completing the statement.)

What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis based on their role in cell division?
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Reference for Learners
Grade 8 Learner’s Material First Edition, 2013, (pp. 317-327)
Answer Key
Activity 1.

Assessment
1. B 2. C 3. B 4. B 5.C

LILIAN R. GUINEA
Author

Prepared by:
Reviewed by: GRECHEN S. TAYAG
NURHANA M. ARABI Science Teacher
(Science Coordinator)
Noted by: Approved by :

GRECHEN S. TAYAG VERGEL M. MARCERA ALFRED C. DESCALLAR

(LPT I ) School Principal I PICD

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