Lecture Notes on Cell Division and Mitosis

Overview of Cell Division

The lecture covers important concepts in cell division, particularly focusing on mitosis and meiosis.
Understanding the processes involved in the division of cells such as bacteria, amoeba, and plasmodium.

Mitosis is a process of equational cell division critical for growth and repair.
It involves a sequence of stages:
- Interphase: The cell prepares for division.
- Prophase: Chromosomes condense, and spindle fibers form.
- Metaphase: Chromosomes align at the metaphase plate.
- Anaphase: Sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite poles.
- Telophase: Chromosomes de-condense, and nuclear membranes reform.
- Cytokinesis: Division of the cytoplasm, resulting in two daughter cells.

Spindle Fibers: Essential for chromosome movement and segregation.
Kinases and Proteins: Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) regulate the cell cycle, and their malfunction can lead to cancer.
Chromosomal Arrangements:
- Metacentric: Centromere in the middle.
- Submetacentric: Centromere slightly off-center.
- Acrocentric: Centromere near one end.
- Telocentric: Centromere at the very end.

Meiosis differs from mitosis and is crucial for sexual reproduction, reducing chromosome numbers by half.
Two main stages:
- Meiosis I: Homologous chromosomes separate.
- Meiosis II: Sister chromatids separate, similar to mitosis.
Crossover Events: Important for genetic diversity.

Cancer Cells: Uncontrolled cell division due to mutations in regulatory proteins like E6 and E7.
HPV and Cancer: Human papillomavirus (HPV) can lead to specific cancers; vaccination is important.

These notes summarize key points discussed in the lecture and are intended for study purposes to assist in understanding cell division processes.