Question

Please use simple terms so I can understand better. thanks!

Why do cells need to multiply? Discuss a few reasons. Try to do this without using the word “reproduction” or “reproduce”.

Define homologous chromosomes

Discuss the chromosomal number of cells before mitosis and after mitosis

Is mitosis involved in asexual reproduction?

What are telomeres and why are they important?

How does cytokinesis (cytoplasmic division) differ in animal cells vs plant cells?

Define oncogene, proto-oncogene, neoplasm, tumor, and metastasis

Answer 1

Cells multiply due to decrease in surface area to volume ratio or nucleocytoplasmic ratio. If a cell grows too large then there will be difficulty in movements of nutrients and wastes across membranes. The other reasons for cell divisions are to grow, repair, develop and produce new offsprings.

Homologous chromosomea are pair of chromosome one from each parent that are similar in length, position and centromere location.

The chromosome number before and after mitosis is similar. The daughter cells produced at the end of mitotic divisions contains the same number of chromosomes as present in parent cells.

Yes. mitosis is involved in asexual reproduction as one cell divides to become two without involvment of two parents. It produces two cells that are identical to each other and parent cell.

Telomeres are protective caps present at the end of chromosomes which protect them from being damaged. These get shortened with age. They are important as they prevent our cella from being damaged and become prone to various diseases.

In animal cells, cytokinesis occurs by furrowing which takes place in centripetal manner whereas in plant cells, there is cell plate formation and it occurs in centrifugal manner.