Cell division through mitosis and the cell cycle is important for both single-celled and multicellular organisms. In multicellular organisms, cell division allows for growth by increasing the total number of cells, while in single-celled organisms it is how they reproduce. The cell cycle is a series of events from one cell division to the next and includes interphase, where the cell grows and prepares for division by copying its DNA, and mitosis, where the nucleus and cytoplasm divide. Mitosis produces two identical daughter cells through the phases of prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase.

1. Chapter 10, Section 1

2. Why is cell division important for many celled
organisms and one celled organisms?
Many celled organisms grow because cell division
increases total number of cells
One celled organisms need cell division because it’s
how they reproduce themselves.

3. Why is cell division important even after growth
stops?
It’s how our bodies repair and replace what is
needed. (red blood cells)

4. What is the cell cycle?
A series of events that takes place from one cell
division to the next.

5. How long does the cell cycle take?
It is not the same in all cells.

6. Why do skin and bone cells constantly repeat the
cycle?
Because these cells are needed for repair, growth
and replacement.

7. What is interphase?
A period of growth and development

8. How does interphase relate to eukaryotic cells?
A eukaryotic cell has a nucleus which is needed for
cell division. Cells with a nucleus spend most of
their time in interphase.

9. Why are muscle and nerve cells always in
interphase?
They are cells that no longer divide.

10. What is happening during interphase for an actively
dividing cell?
The cell copies its hereditary material and prepares
for cell division during interphase.

11. What happens to hereditary material before a cell
divides?
The hereditary material is copied.

12. What happens after interphase?
After interphase, cell division begins.

13. What is mitosis?
The process in which the NUCLEUS divides to form
two identical nuclei.

14. What are the steps of mitosis? Briefly describe
what is happening in each phase.
Prophase—The chromatid pairs are now visible and
the spindle is beginning to form.
Metaphase—Chromatid pairs are lined up in the
middle of the cell.
Anaphase—The chromosomes have separated.
Telophase—The cytoplasm is beginning to
separate.

15. What is the difference in mitosis between plant and
animal cells?
In plant cells, the appearance of a cell plate tells you
that the cytoplasm is being divided. (because of
cell wall)

16. • Following the division of the cytoplasm, most new
cells……
Begin the period of growth, or interphase.
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