Mitosis, Meiosis, and the Cell Cycle
The ability to divide and reproduce independently is one of the essential characteristics that seperates the living from the non-living. In this unit, students will learn how both eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells divide. The emphasis in this chapter is on asexual forms of reproduction -- mitosis and binary fission. An overview of the entire cell cycle is given, along with each of the individual stages of mitosis -- prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Finally, the disorder of cancer cells is used as an example of why cell cycle control is so important.
Mitosis Meiosis and the Cell Cycle Lecture Powerpoint
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Purpose: This Powerpoint begins a brief comparison of sexual and asexual reproduction. This unit focuses completely on the asexual side (mitosis and binary fission) to avoid confusion with meiosis. Students will are also given background on the composition of chromosomes, since they are the central players in mitosis. Finally, an overview of the entire cell cycle is given, starting with G1, S, G2, and finally completing with mitosis and cytokinesis. A few of the major cell growth control mechanisms are also explained, as well as their relationship to cancer and tumor growth.
Essential Concepts: Cell division, asexual reproduction, sexual reproduction, chromosomes, chromatin, DNA, mitosis, interphase, G1 phase, G2 phase, S phase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, centrioles, spindle fibers, binary fission, cell cycle control, checkpoints, cancer, tumors, malignant, benign.
Mitosis Meiosis and the Cell Cycle Lecture Notes Outline
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Purpose: Taking efficient notes can be a big challenge for many students, especially when working from a Powerpoint lecture. This outline gives students a means to take notes that guides them toward important concepts and avoids the pitfalls of writing word-for-word or simply not taking notes at all. The outline is written as a series of questions, fill-in-the-blanks, or diagrams.
Essential Concepts: Cell division, asexual reproduction, sexual reproduction, chromosomes, chromatin, DNA, mitosis, interphase, G1 phase, G2 phase, S phase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, centrioles, spindle fibers, binary fission, cell cycle control, checkpoints, cancer, tumors, malignant, benign.
Onion Root Tip Mitosis Lab
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Purpose: Onion root tip cells are ideal for studying mitosis. This is the part of the plant that is experiencing the most division, as it grows roots into the soil. As plant cells, they also have cell walls that are thick enough to distinguish easily one cell to another. In this lab, students will count the number of cells in interphase, as well as the different stages of mitosis within a view of the microscope. Based on these counts, they will calculate the expected amount of time a cell spends in each stage. This lab is effective at emphasizing the overwhelming likeliness of cells to be in the interphase stage.
Essential Concepts: Cell division, chromosomes, chromatin, nucleus, DNA, mitosis, interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase.
PBS Nova Mitosis and Meiosis Animation Worksheet
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Purpose: This assignment has students observe changes that occur in a cell as it passes through each of the stages of mitosis and cytokinesis. Students will access the PBS Nova mitosis and meiosis Flash animation. They will answer questions about each stage, and sketch what the cell looks like during each stage. This specific assigment only focuses on the mitosis part of the animation.
Essential Concepts: Cell division, chromosomes, chromatin, DNA, mitosis, interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, centrioles, spindle fibers.
Autopsy Life or Death: Tumors Worksheet
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Purpose: This worksheet is for an episode of the Autopsy Life and Death BBC series, by Dr. Gunther Von Hagens of Bodyworlds. The video explores the causes and health effects of cancer. The cadaver of a deceased breast cancer patient is dissected to show the spread of a malignant tumor and the damage it caused to other organs, including the liver and lungs. As this video has a live dissection of a real human cadaver, it is best-suited for older students.
Essential Concepts: Cancer, benign tumors, malignant tumors, metastasis, biopsy.
Mitosis Meiosis and the Cell Cycle Study Guide
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Purpose: This worksheet is a set of vocabulary words and practice questions meant to encourage students to condense their notes into a more manageable form to study from. The questions and vocabulary are taken directly from the lecture Powerpoint for this unit.
Essential Concepts: Cell division, asexual reproduction, sexual reproduction, chromosomes, chromatin, DNA, mitosis, interphase, G1 phase, G2 phase, S phase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, centrioles, spindle fibers, binary fission, cell cycle control, checkpoints, cancer, tumors, malignant, benign.
