Cellular Eproduction and Genetics

CELLULAR EPRODUCTION AND GENETICS
When you look at your parents, you can see features that you share with them, such as the shape of the
eye, the presence of dimples. The sharing of features can be explained by heredity, where traits are
passed on from parents to offspring. Yet when you look at your brothers and sisters, even if you share
the same parents, each one of you can be considered unique based on the combination of traits. That is
variation, which demonstrates differences among individuals. Genetics is the study of heredity and
variation. Every living thing undergoes reproduction. The nutrients taken by an individual will provide for
energy for metabolic processes. The cellular level of reproduction, in the form of cell division, provides
for the backdrop for the organismal level of reproduction.
All living things contain what we call the genetic material that serves as the set of instructions that direct
the activities and functions of the cells. These genetic materials, also known as the deoxyribonucleic
acid or DNA, are passed on from one generation to the next to ensure the continuity of life. In eukaryotic
cells (cells with organelles), the DNA are bound with proteins and are organized as beads on strings to
form chromosomes. The number of chromosomes in a cell is characteristic of the species to which it
belongs. For example, humans have 46 chromosomes while rice have 12.
The chromosomes of a cell change form as the cell transitions from one stage to another in a typical cell
cycle. The cell cycle may be divided into two stages: the interphase where the chromosomes are long
and extended and are also 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 doubles
or replicates itself because the DNA molecule contained in the chromosome produces an exact copy of
itself. The interphase is divided into three substages: G1 or the first gap period, Synthesis stage and the
G2 or the second gap period.
There are two types of cell division: mitosis and meiosis. Mitosis is a cellular process wherein two nuclei
and two cells are produced due to the division of the original nucleus, each of which contains the same
chromosome number as the parent cell. Meiosis produces sex cells. All human somatic cells have forty-
six chromosomes. When human cells reproduce through mitosis, each new cell will also have forty-six
chromosomes. But in reproductive cells or gametes, each of these cells produced has only twenty-three
chromosomes. Thus, meiosis decreases the chromosome number by half.
Mitosis is the type of cell division produces two identical cells with the same number of chromosomes. It
is divided into four stages: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase. Mitosis is the reason we can
grow, heal wounds, and replace damaged cells. Mitosis is also important in organisms which reproduce
asexually: this is the only way that these cells can reproduce. This is the one key process that sustains
populations of asexual organisms.
The number of chromosomes normally remains the same within the species. It does not double or triple
for every generation. This suggests that a different kind of cell division must take place in an individual.
This kind of cell division is called meiosis, from a Greek word which means "to make smaller." Meiosis
reduces the chromosome number in half. It takes place in plants and animals whenever gametes, or sex
cells, are formed through the process called gametogenesis. Meiosis is a special type of cell division
where the cell undergoes two rounds of cell division to produce four daughter cells, each with half the
chromosome number as the original parent cell and with a unique set of genetic material as a result of
exchange of chromosome segments during the process of crossing over. The first round of meiotic
division, also known as meiosis I, consists of four stages: prophase I, metaphase I, anaphase I, and
telophase I. The second meiotic division, also known as meiosis II, is mitotic in nature and consists of the
following stages: prophase II, metaphase II, anaphase II and telophase II.
In meiosis, the number of chromosomes normally remains the same within the species. It does not
double or triple for every generation. Meiosis reduces the chromosome number in half. It takes place in
plants and animals whenever gametes, or sex cells, are formed through the process called
gametogenesis.
Meiosis is a special type of cell division where the cell undergoes two rounds of cell division to produce
four daughter cells, each with half the chromosome number as the original parent cell and with a unique
set of genetic material as a result of exchange of chromosome segments during the process of crossing
over.
Meiosis may not always proceed normally. Accidents sometimes happen. These accidents may affect the
functioning of the spindle fiber or the movement of one or more chromosomes. In humans, some
accidents have been known to cause abnormal conditions. For example, when chromosomes in a pair fail
to separate from each other during Meiosis I, the resulting gamete acquires both members of a pair of
chromosomes.
Answer the following questions in a whole sheet of paper.
1. Is it possible that man and dog can procreate? Why? ( 5 pts)

2. What is mitosis? (5pts)
3. What are the phases in the mitosis stage? (5 pts)
4. What is meiosis? (5 pts)
5. What are the phases of meiosis? (5pts)

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CELLULAR EPRODUCTION AND GENETICS

Answer the following questions in a whole sheet of paper.

1. Is it possible that man and dog can procreate? Why? ( 5 pts)

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