Chromosomes + mitosis

• The nucleus contains your genetic material in the form or chromosomes which are coiled up lengths of DNA molecules
• Each chromosome carries a large number of genes, different genes control development of different characteristics.
• There are 23 pairs of chromosomes in each human cell except for the gametes
• The stage of the cell cycle when the cell divides is mitosis
• Mitosis can be used to grow or replace damaged cells
• Growth + DNA Replication

  1. DNA is spread out in long strings
  2. Before dividing cell grows to increase amount of subcellular structures like mitochondria and ribosomes
  3. It then duplicates it's DNA forming x-shaped chromosomes.
• Mitosis

  1. Chromosomes line up at cell centre and cell fibres pull them apart. The two arms of each go to opposite ends of cell
  2. Membranes form around each set of chromosomes which become the nuclei of the two new cells
  3. Cytoplasm and cell membrane divide
  4. Two identical daughter cells have now been produced