Cell Division: Definition, Stages, Diagram, Phases and FAQ

Cell Division: Definition, Stages, Diagram, Phases and FAQ

Edited By Irshad Anwar | Updated on Nov 05, 2024 03:55 PM IST

Cell Division is the process where one cell divides into two new cells that are genetically identical to itself. It is the only method through which an organism grows, develops, or repairs tissues. Cell division takes place in a process called mitosis and meiosis. These two processes contribute differently to reproduction and growth. This topic of Biology is important for competitive exams like NEET, and AIIMS BSc nursing as the questions often come from cell division, mainly because of its biological importance.

This Story also Contains
  1. What is Cell Division?
  2. Types of Cell Division
  3. Phases of Cell Cycle
  4. Differences between Mitosis and Meiosis
  5. Phases of Mitosis
  6. Control and Regulation of Cell Division
  7. Significance and Applications of Cell Division
  8. Recommended video for Cell Division
Cell Division: Definition, Stages, Diagram, Phases and FAQ
Cell Division: Definition, Stages, Diagram, Phases and FAQ

What is Cell Division?

Cell division is a process in which a parent cell divides to produce two or more daughter cells. Separation occurs such that, at the same time, the latter inherits the genetic material brought from the division. In other words, cell division is a basic process by which the organism is continuously developed, grown, and repaired. Cell division for growth results in the increase of cell populations, and by doing so, an organism attains its final size. Primarily, successful regulation of the cell division process as an organism enables tissues and organs to differentiate into diverse functional units. Secondly, in restorative processes, for example, healing, cellular division of cells replaces damaged and lost cells in such a manner that tissue integrity is maintained.

Types of Cell Division

There are two major types of cell division: mitosis and meiosis.

  • Mitosis yields a division of somatic cells, therefore ensuring each daughter cell is a replica of the parent cell. It is very essential for the sustenance of tissues and the asexual reproduction of an organism.

  • Meiosis takes place in the respective speciality cells to form gametes with half the number of chromosomes in the parent cell. This process leads to sexual reproduction and genetic diversity in the offspring.

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Both processes involved in cell division hold a significant part in the life cycles of organisms, which is a potent tool for growth, reproduction, and adaptation.

Phases of Cell Cycle

The cell cycle is the series of events through which a cell passes through cell division and duplication. It has four main phases:

G1 Phase (Gap 1)

The cell grows and performs all the proper cellular functions. It prepares for DNA duplication.

S Phase (Synthesis)

The chromosomes in the cell divide so that each of the two daughter cells will have the complete set of chromosomes.

G2 Phase (Gap 2)

The cell grows during this subphase, and it prepares for mitosis by synthesizing proteins and organelles.

M Phase (Mitosis)

The cell divides into two daughter nuclei. This process incorporates prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.

The diagram below indicates the different stages of a cell cycle

Cell Cycle

Differences between Mitosis and Meiosis

Mitosis is the process taking place in somatic cells. It involves growth, tissue repair, and asexual reproduction. Since it forms two daughter cells, each having the same number of chromosomes (diploid) as the parent cell, the genetic traits of the parent are passed on, and the somatic cells are maintained.

Meiosis occurs in the germ cells, namely the sperm and ova cells, and is central to the process of sexual reproduction. It is the process of two successive cell divisions, resulting in four daughter cells. For the parent cell, in which the number of chromosomes is halved, in other words, haploid. This is vital to ensure that when a sperm or ovum cell fuses to become a zygote, that offspring has the correct chromosome number in the diploid form to be like the rest of the species.

Phases of Mitosis

The four different stages of mitosis are:

Prophase

  • During this stage, the chromatin condenses and the chromosomes are visible.

  • The nucleolus disappears, and the nuclear envelope fragments.

  • With the disappearance of the nuclear membrane, the centrioles migrate to the opposite end, and spindle formation occurs.

  • Until prophase, the chromosomes have no particular orientation because the spindle has not yet formed.

Metaphase

  • Chromosomes become fully condensed and distinct.

  • Chromosomes move towards the equatorial plane of spindles or metaphase plates.

  • Chromosomes are arranged with their arms directed towards the pole and centromere towards the equator.
    Anaphase

  • The centromere splits, and the two chromatids of the duplicated chromosomes separate from each other.

  • Each chromatid now becomes a daughter chromosome.

  • Daughter chromosomes, each with a centromere and single chromatid, appear to move towards opposite poles.

  • Anaphase is the shortest phase of mitosis.

Telophase

  • During this phase, the spindle disappears and new nuclear envelopes develop around the daughter chromosomes.

  • Each daughter nucleus contains the same number and kinds of chromosomes as the original parent cell.

  • The chromosomes become diffuse chromatin and nucleolus reappears.

  • It is followed by the division of the cytoplasm.

Control and Regulation of Cell Division

The process of cell division is very critical since strictly controlled and well-regulated pathways allow these processes to take place. Among these checkpoints are the G1/S checkpoint, G2/M checkpoint, and spindle checkpoint—all regulating critical events and conditions that have to be checked off before entry to the next cell cycle stage. Such checkpoints that delineate cell cycle progression are under the control of master regulators like the cyclins and CDKs. In this manner, their correct sequentiality ensures that the process of DNA replication is done properly to avoid mistakes that might eventually lead to genomic instability.

Significance and Applications of Cell Division

Cell division is an indispensable process for many different biological phenomena. It is prominently engaged in an increase in size, development, growth, tissue repair, regeneration, and asexual reproduction. Cell division with growth and development enables an organism to get bigger and more complex by the creation of new cells. This includes the differentiated ones. In tissue repair and regeneration, cell division replaces damaged or lost cells and, therefore, restitutes tissue function and integrity. In asexual reproduction, it is the cell division that produces the offspring with a combination of genes in its structure that closely resembles that of its parent. It eventually assures rapid growth in population and survival under favourable conditions. Cell division is a crucial and absolute process in the maintenance, repair, and reproduction of organisms; it represents a fundamental, universal feature of life.

Also Read:

Recommended video for Cell Division


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is cell division and why is it important?

It serves for the growth, repair, and reproduction of organisms. It also provides the genetic continuity that is necessary when a parent cell divides to give two daughter cells.

2. What are the phases of mitosis and what happens in each phase?

Mitosis consists of prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, culminating in cytokinesis.

3. How does cell division differ in mitosis and meiosis?

The process of mitosis takes place within somatic cells and results in two identical diploid daughter cells, identical to the parent cell. Meiosis is a process that occurs in germ cells. It leads to four haploid daughter cells, each with its own, different genetic makeup.

4. What are the checkpoints in the cell cycle, and why are they important?

Checkpoints known as G1/S, G2/M, and spindle monitor cell cycle progress, and proper cell division.

5. What are the consequences of errors in cell division?

Errors in cell division can lead to various diseases and abnormalities, like cancer and Down syndrome.

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Directions for question :

M/s Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, one of the top four audit and accounting firms in the world with headquarters at London, UK, and with an operational presence in 153 countries, hires Management Trainees (MT) from all the premier management institutes of India thrice every year, in the months of January, May and September.

Each new group of Management Trainees (MT) have to go through a four month rigorous training schedule, after which they have to pass through a test consisting of a written assessment and a case-analysis. The top hundred ranked Management Trainees (MT) based on the performance in the test are confirmed as Management Executives (ME). The rest are given the opportunity of undergoing the training for four months one more time along with the next batch of Management Trainees (MT) and then passing through the subsequent test consisting of the written assessment and case-analysis. The Management Trainee (MT) who fails to get confirmed as a Management Executive (ME) the second time is fired.

The scatter-graph below depicts the number of Management Trainees (MT) at Deloitte taking the tests from January 2020 till May 2022, and the vis-à-vis hired Management Trainees (MT) at Deloitte who were fired :

It is also known that for the month of September 2019 at Deloitte, 96 hired Management Trainees (MT) failed to be confirmed as a Management Executive (ME) the first time, and that 36 hired Management Trainees (MT) were fired. 

Question :

In which test did the minimum number of Management Trainees (MT) get confirmed as a Management Executive (ME) in the second attempt ?

Option: 1

September 2020

 

 


Option: 2

May 2021


Option: 3

January 2021

 


Option: 4

January 2022 


Directions for question:

Two friends Moloy and Niloy passed out from the Purulia Institute of Science and Technology with B.Tech degrees in Mechanical Engineering, but even after a year placement was hard to find. So they decided to take the challenge head-on, came down to Kolkata, rented a garage space on Park Street, and having an affinity towards making people enjoy good food, started their firm named 'B.Tech Bread-Omlette Wala'. 

They started with three items on the menu. One was the French Toast which could be prepared in 3 minutes. The second was the Egg Tortillas which took 15 minutes to prepare. Any one of Moloy and Niloy could prepare any one of them at a time. The third was the Egg Bhurji with French Fries. This however was prepared on an automated fryer which could prepare 3 servings at a time and took 5 minutes irrespective of the number of servings equal to or below 3. The fryer did not need anyone to attend to it, and the time to put in the raw ingredients could be neglected. So one could tend to the preparation of other items while the Egg Bhurji with French Fries were being prepared. 

They wanted to serve the orders as early as possible after the order was given. The individual items in any order were served as and when all the items were ready, and the order was then considered closed. None of the items on the menu were prepared in advance in anticipation of future orders. 

On the first day, 3 groups of customers came in and ordered at 6.00 pm, 6.10 pm, and 6.13 pm. The first order was for a plate of Egg Tortillas, two plates of French Toast, and three plates of Egg Bhurji with French Fries. The second order was for a plate of French Toast and two plates of Egg Bhurji with French Fries. The third order was for a plate of Egg Tortilla and a plate of Egg Bhurji with French Fries. 

On the backdrop of the above information answer the questions given :

Question: 

Assuming that the next customer's order could only be attended to when the previous customer's order was closed, at what time would the first customer's order be considered closed ?

 

Option: 1

6.15 pm

 

 


Option: 2

6.17 pm

 


Option: 3

6.18 pm

 


Option: 4

6.20 pm


Directions for question :

Six sticks of equal lengths were kept in the vertical position in an empty flower-vase, to be arranged at the six corners of a regular hexagon. The two ends of each of the sticks were of different colours. 

The top ends of the sticks were one of each of the following colours – Red, Cyan, Pink, Brown, Black and Green. The bottom ends were one of each of the following colours – Blue, Yellow, White, Orange, Purple and Grey. Both the sets of colours mentioned were in no particular order.

It was also known that :

a) The stick with the red colour was opposite to the stick with the blue colour

b) There were exactly two sticks whose both ends had colours whose names started with the same letter

c) The stick with the grey colour was adjacent to the stick with the white colour

d) The stick with the cyan colour was adjacent to both the sticks with the brown colour and the one with the blue colour

e) The stick with the purple colour was adjacent to both the sticks with the grey colour and the one with the green colour

f) The stick with the white colour was opposite to the stick with the green colour

Question :

What was the colour of the bottom end of the stick having brown colour at the top end ?

Option: 1

 White 

 


Option: 2

Yellow 


Option: 3

Black

 


Option: 4

Grey


Directions for question:

Two friends Moloy and Niloy passed out from the Purulia Institute of Science and Technology with B.Tech degrees in Mechanical Engineering, but even after a year placement was hard to find. So they decided to take the challenge head-on, came down to Kolkata, rented a garage space on Park Street, and having an affinity towards making people enjoy good food, started their firm named 'B.Tech Bread-Omlette Wala'. 

They started with three items on the menu. One was the French Toast which could be prepared in 3 minutes. The second was the Egg Tortillas which took 15 minutes to prepare. Any one of Moloy and Niloy could prepare any one of them at a time. The third was the Egg Bhurji with French Fries. This however was prepared on an automated fryer which could prepare 3 servings at a time and took 5 minutes irrespective of the number of servings equal to or below 3. The fryer did not need anyone to attend to it, and the time to put in the raw ingredients could be neglected. So one could tend to the preparation of other items while the Egg Bhurji with French Fries were being prepared. 

They wanted to serve the orders as early as possible after the order was given. The individual items in any order were served as and when all the items were ready, and the order was then considered closed. None of the items on the menu were prepared in advance in anticipation of future orders. 

On the first day, 3 groups of customers came in and ordered at 6.00 pm, 6.10 pm, and 6.13 pm. The first order was for a plate of Egg Tortillas, two plates of French Toast, and three plates of Egg Bhurji with French Fries. The second order was for a plate of French Toast and two plates of Egg Bhurji with French Fries. The third order was for a plate of Egg Tortilla and a plate of Egg Bhurji with French Fries. 

On the backdrop of the above information answer the questions given :

Question: 

Assuming that the next customer's order could only be attended to when the previous customer's order was closed, at what time would the third customer's order be considered closed ?

 

Option: 1

6.28 pm

 


Option: 2

6.35 pm

 


Option: 3

6.38 pm


Option: 4

6.45 pm


Directions for question:

Two friends Moloy and Niloy passed out from the Purulia Institute of Science and Technology with B.Tech degrees in Mechanical Engineering, but even after a year placement was hard to find. So they decided to take the challenge head-on, came down to Kolkata, rented a garage space on Park Street, and having an affinity towards making people enjoy good food, started their firm named 'B.Tech Bread-Omlette Wala'. 

They started with three items on the menu. One was the French Toast which could be prepared in 3 minutes. The second was the Egg Tortillas which took 15 minutes to prepare. Any one of Moloy and Niloy could prepare any one of them at a time. The third was the Egg Bhurji with French Fries. This however was prepared on an automated fryer which could prepare 3 servings at a time and took 5 minutes irrespective of the number of servings equal to or below 3. The fryer did not need anyone to attend to it, and the time to put in the raw ingredients could be neglected. So one could tend to the preparation of other items while the Egg Bhurji with French Fries were being prepared. 

They wanted to serve the orders as early as possible after the order was given. The individual items in any order were served as and when all the items were ready, and the order was then considered closed. None of the items on the menu were prepared in advance in anticipation of future orders. 

On the first day, 3 groups of customers came in and ordered at 6.00 pm, 6.10 pm, and 6.13 pm. The first order was for a plate of Egg Tortillas, two plates of French Toast, and three plates of Egg Bhurji with French Fries. The second order was for a plate of French Toast and two plates of Egg Bhurji with French Fries. The third order was for a plate of Egg Tortilla and a plate of Egg Bhurji with French Fries. 

On the backdrop of the above information answer the questions given :

Question: 

Suppose Moloy and Niloy had decided to process multiple orders at the same time, however strictly prioritising a first come first serve basis, when would the second customer's order be considered closed ?

Option: 1

6.20 pm

 

 


Option: 2

6.18 pm


Option: 3

6.15 pm

 


Option: 4

6.12 pm


Directions for question:

Two friends Moloy and Niloy passed out from the Purulia Institute of Science and Technology with B.Tech degrees in Mechanical Engineering, but even after a year placement was hard to find. So they decided to take the challenge head-on, came down to Kolkata, rented a garage space on Park Street, and having an affinity towards making people enjoy good food, started their firm named 'B.Tech Bread-Omlette Wala'. 

They started with three items on the menu. One was the French Toast which could be prepared in 3 minutes. The second was the Egg Tortillas which took 15 minutes to prepare. Any one of Moloy and Niloy could prepare any one of them at a time. The third was the Egg Bhurji with French Fries. This however was prepared on an automated fryer which could prepare 3 servings at a time and took 5 minutes irrespective of the number of servings equal to or below 3. The fryer did not need anyone to attend to it, and the time to put in the raw ingredients could be neglected. So one could tend to the preparation of other items while the Egg Bhurji with French Fries were being prepared. 

They wanted to serve the orders as early as possible after the order was given. The individual items in any order were served as and when all the items were ready, and the order was then considered closed. None of the items on the menu were prepared in advance in anticipation of future orders. 

On the first day, 3 groups of customers came in and ordered at 6.00 pm, 6.10 pm, and 6.13 pm. The first order was for a plate of Egg Tortillas, two plates of French Toast, and three plates of Egg Bhurji with French Fries. The second order was for a plate of French Toast and two plates of Egg Bhurji with French Fries. The third order was for a plate of Egg Tortilla and a plate of Egg Bhurji with French Fries. 

On the backdrop of the above information answer the questions given :

Question: 

Suppose Moloy and Niloy had decided to process multiple orders at the same time, however strictly prioritising a first come first serve basis, when would the third customer's order be considered closed ?

 

Option: 1

6.22 pm

 


Option: 2

6.25 pm


Option: 3

6.28 pm 


Option: 4

6.30 pm


Directions for question:

Two friends Moloy and Niloy passed out from the Purulia Institute of Science and Technology with B.Tech degrees in Mechanical Engineering, but even after a year placement was hard to find. So they decided to take the challenge head-on, came down to Kolkata, rented a garage space on Park Street, and having an affinity towards making people enjoy good food, started their firm named 'B.Tech Bread-Omlette Wala'. 

They started with three items on the menu. One was the French Toast which could be prepared in 3 minutes. The second was the Egg Tortillas which took 15 minutes to prepare. Any one of Moloy and Niloy could prepare any one of them at a time. The third was the Egg Bhurji with French Fries. This however was prepared on an automated fryer which could prepare 3 servings at a time and took 5 minutes irrespective of the number of servings equal to or below 3. The fryer did not need anyone to attend to it, and the time to put in the raw ingredients could be neglected. So one could tend to the preparation of other items while the Egg Bhurji with French Fries were being prepared. 

They wanted to serve the orders as early as possible after the order was given. The individual items in any order were served as and when all the items were ready, and the order was then considered closed. None of the items on the menu were prepared in advance in anticipation of future orders. 

On the first day, 3 groups of customers came in and ordered at 6.00 pm, 6.10 pm, and 6.13 pm. The first order was for a plate of Egg Tortillas, two plates of French Toast, and three plates of Egg Bhurji with French Fries. The second order was for a plate of French Toast and two plates of Egg Bhurji with French Fries. The third order was for a plate of Egg Tortilla and a plate of Egg Bhurji with French Fries. 

On the backdrop of the above information answer the questions given :

Question: 

A fourth customer comes in and orders two plates of French Toast at 6.24 pm. Suppose Moloy and Niloy had decided to process multiple orders at the same time, however strictly prioritising a first come first serve basis. For exactly how many minutes would one of the friends be idle from 6.00 pm till serving the last customer, assuming that the four customers were the only ones to have come in within the period being discussed ?

Option: 1

9

 


Option: 2

13


Option: 3

18


Option: 4

21


Directions for question:

Two friends Moloy and Niloy passed out from the Purulia Institute of Science and Technology with B.Tech degrees in Mechanical Engineering, but even after a year placement was hard to find. So they decided to take the challenge head-on, came down to Kolkata, rented a garage space on Park Street, and having an affinity towards making people enjoy good food, started their firm named 'B.Tech Bread-Omlette Wala'. 

They started with three items on the menu. One was the French Toast which could be prepared in 3 minutes. The second was the Egg Tortillas which took 15 minutes to prepare. Any one of Moloy and Niloy could prepare any one of them at a time. The third was the Egg Bhurji with French Fries. This however was prepared on an automated fryer which could prepare 3 servings at a time and took 5 minutes irrespective of the number of servings equal to or below 3. The fryer did not need anyone to attend to it, and the time to put in the raw ingredients could be neglected. So one could tend to the preparation of other items while the Egg Bhurji with French Fries were being prepared. 

They wanted to serve the orders as early as possible after the order was given. The individual items in any order were served as and when all the items were ready, and the order was then considered closed. None of the items on the menu were prepared in advance in anticipation of future orders. 

On the first day, 3 groups of customers came in and ordered at 6.00 pm, 6.10 pm, and 6.13 pm. The first order was for a plate of Egg Tortillas, two plates of French Toast, and three plates of Egg Bhurji with French Fries. The second order was for a plate of French Toast and two plates of Egg Bhurji with French Fries. The third order was for a plate of Egg Tortilla and a plate of Egg Bhurji with French Fries. 

On the backdrop of the above information answer the questions given :

Question: 

Had Niloy been absent on that day, and assuming that the next customer's order could only be attended to when the previous customer's order was closed, at what time would the fourth customer's order (refer to the previous question) be considered closed ?

Option: 1

6:38 pm

 


Option: 2

6:42 pm

 


Option: 3

6:47 pm


Option: 4

6:49 pm


Directions for question:

The bar-graph given below shows the foreign exchange reserves of Nepal (in million Rupees) from 2014 to 2021. Answer the following questions based on the graph :

Question:

What was the percentage increase (rounded to the nearest integer, if deemed necessary) in the foreign exchange reserves in 2020 over 2016 ?

Option: 1 None

Option: 2 None

Option: 3 None

Option: 4 None

Directions for question:

The Jadavpur University’s Prince Anwar Shah Road hostel consists of two large separate buildings, one for the ladies and the other for the gents, while having a common kitchen and dining hall. It is the hostel of the CS and the EEC department of engineering students of the university.

In recognition of the growing dissatisfaction and hence complaints among the inmates of the hostel regarding the menu served for dinner, the Dean of the engineering department, Dr Aparesh Sanyal, personally decided to investigate the matter. He set about collecting information about the preference of dinner among the inmates, separately from the gents and the ladies wing of the hostel.

Dr Sanyal was able to gather the following partial information :  

 

Hostel inmates

Menu preference for dinner

Total

Egg Meal

Fish Meal

Chicken Meal

Gents

   

20

 

Ladies

     

64

Total

 

60

   

 

The Warden of the hostel was consulted, who after investigation declared that the following facts were clear :

1. Forty percent of the hostel inmates were ladies

2. One-third of the gentlemen inmates preferred an egg meal for dinner

3. Half the hostel inmates preferred either fish meal or chicken meal

Question:

What proportion of the lady hostel inmates preferred a fish meal for dinner ?

 

 

Option: 1

0.25

 

 


Option: 2

0.50

 


Option: 3

0.75

 


Option: 4

1.00 


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