Prophase

In early prophase, the nuclear envelope and nucleolus begin to disappear.

Long threadlike bodies of chromatin begin to shorten and condense as visible.
Toward the end of prophase, chromosomes continue to shorten and thicken.
Spindles form between the centrioles, which have moved to the poles of the cell.

Metaphase
The formation of spindle fibres is complete by the beginning of metaphase.
Spindle fibres attach to the kinetochores of the chromosomes. Chromosomes
line up along the equatorial plane of the cell.
The metaphase chromosomes orient themselves on the equatorial plate and
are clearly visible with a stain. Each metaphase chromosome is composed of two
sister chromatids attached to the spindle fibres of opposite poles. The chro-
matids are now ready to separate.

Anaphase
The unique feature of anaphase is chromatid separation. Chromatids sepa-
rate at their centromeres, and one group of chromosomes moves toward each
pole. The microtubules of the spindle shorten considerably, pulling the chromo-
somes towards the poles.

Telophase
The events of telophase are almost the reverse of those of prophase. This
phase begins as chromosome movement ceases. A new nuclear membrane is
formed at each pole which surrounds the daughter chromosomes. Each chro-
mosome begins to uncoil, becoming less condensed. Chromatin fibres are
formed and metabolic activities are initiated.
Finally, a nucleolus appears within each nucleus. When karyokinesis or divi-
sion of nuclear material is complete, the result is two identical nuclei.

Cytokinesis The secret of life

Cytokinesis is the division of cytoplasm which follows nuclear division or
telophase. Cytokinesis differs in plant and animal cells. Figure-6.16.: Mitosis in plant and animal cells

187
 THE STRUCTURE OF EUKARYOTIC CELL

Structure Description Function

Vacuole Membrane bound sacks, 3-types Store materials, waste and water

Food Vacuole Contains food obtained by endocytosis Food storage

Contractile
Found in fresh-water protists Removes excess water
Vacuole
Storage
Found in plant cells Stores toxic salts as crystals
Vacuole

Plastids Found in plant cells, double membranous, 3-types Variety of functions

Contains chlorophylls on thylocoid membrane, found in Site of photosynthesis

Chloroplast
green parts of plants and protists gives green colour

Stores proteins, lipids and carbo-

Leucoplast Colourless plastids, found in stem and root
hydrates

Formed from the alternation of chloroplast, contains red, Gives variety of colour
Chromoplast
orange and yellow pigments

Large structure surrounded by double membrane, contains The control centre of the cell
Nucleus
chromosomes and nucleolus

Dense region within the nucleus composed of protein and

Nucleolus The site of ribosome synthesis
RNA

Rod-like structure composed of DNA and protein, contains Controls all cellular activities
Chromosome
genes

Cell wall Found in plants, protista, fungi and some bacteria Protection and structural support

Cilia (9+2) Short projections extending from the surface of the cell Provides cellular movement

Flagella(9+2) Long projections extending from the surface of the cell Cellular locomotion

Table-2.3: Comparison of a prokaryotic and an eukaryotic cell

 THE STRUCTURE OF EUKARYOTIC CELL
Structure Description Function
Encloses cellular contents
Membrane composed of protein, lipid and carbohy- Regulates material exchanges
Cell membrane Helps maintain cell shape
drates
Communicates with other cells

The jelly-like (viscous, semi-fluid) Provides environment for biochemi-

Cytoplasm
structure found between nucleus and cell membrane cal reactions and cell organelles

Cell organelles:
Nonmembranous granules composed of RNA and pro-
Ribosome tein, some attached to ER some free in cytoplasm some Synthesise protein
in chloroplast and mitochondria

Endoplasmic Network of internal membranes extending through the

Material production and transport
Reticulum cytoplasm

Lipid synthesise
Smooth ER Lack ribosomes on outer surface
Drug detoxification

Rough ER Ribosomes attached to outer surface Synthesise exportable proteins

Formation, packing and secretion of

Golgi Complex Stacks of flattened membranous sacks
exportable materials

Double membranous organelles, inner membrane is Power house of the cell, produces
Mitochondria ATP energy
folded to form cristae

Found in animal cells, nonmebranous structures com- Help distribute chromosomes to new
Centrosome cells during cell division
posed of two centrioles.

Microbodies Membrane bound sacks containing variety of enzymes Destroys toxic chemicals such as
(Peroxysome) such as hydrogen peroxidase hydrogen peroxide

Microbodies Its enzymes convert stored fats to

Found in the seeds of certain plants sugar to produce energy during ger-
(Glyoxisome) minations

Contains digestive enzymes respon-

Lysosome Single membrane-bound sacks
sible for cellular digestion