Genetics: Week 3: Mitosis Model

Jello Cell Model
The DNA hangs out in the Nucleus (the marshmallow in this picture.)
Let's go further in.

Cell division is a biological process by which a cell divides into two or more cells. During this division the nucleus splits and the DNA is replicated. One of the two types of cell division is called mitosis. In mitosis the parent cell divides into daughter cells, each with a complete copy of the genetic material of the parents, and with the capacity to divide again.

page from My Name is Gene

This simple and easy mitosis model helps students to understand and remember the stages of mitosis.

It's mitosis -- with yarn, plates and pipe cleaners!

Here we have a strand of DNA inside a plate cell.

Now, let's get in closer to the DNA and exchange the yarn for pipe-cleaners. With just a snip and a twist, we can see...

Interphase

This is the normal state of a cell. It's just going about its daily business of surviving and making sure it has all of the nutrients and energy it needs. It is also getting ready for another division that will happen one day. It is duplicating its nucleic acids, so when it's time for prophase again, all the pieces are there.

Prophase
A cell gets the idea that it is time to divide. First, it has to get everything ready -duplicate DNA, get certain pieces in the right position, and generally prepare the cell for the process of mitotic division.

  Metaphase
Now all of the pieces are aligning themselves for the big split. The DNA lines up along a central axis, an invisible line.

Anaphase

The separation begins. Half of the chromosomes are pulled to one side of the cell; half go the other way.

Telophase

Now the division is finishing up. The cell into two pieces. You have two separate cells each with half of the original DNA.