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7.3: Mitosis

Last updated

Mar 17, 2025
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- 7.2: The Cell Cycle
- 7.4: Polyploidy

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Black abstract lines swirl on a light gray background, resembling chaotic waves or tangled threads, with scattered black dots throughout. — Figure 7.3.1: DNA released from human chromosome courtesy J. R. Paulson and U. C. Laemmli

This image provides a graphic illustration of the problem. It shows a bit (no more than 3%) of the single molecule of DNA released from a single human chromosome. (The chromosome was treated to remove its histones). Remembering that this is 3% of the DNA of only one of the 46 chromosomes in the human diploid cell, you can appreciate the problem faced by the cell of how to separate without error these great lengths of DNA without creating horrible tangles.

The solution to this problem is:

Duplicate each chromosome during the S phase of the cell cycle.
This produces dyads, each made up of 2 identical sister chromatids. These are held together by a ring of proteins called cohesin.
Condense the chromosomes into a compact form. This requires ATP and protein complexes called condensins.
Separate the sister chromatids and
Distribute these equally between the two daughter cells.

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