Contextualization
Cell division is a fundamental process in biology, essential for the growth, development, repair, and reproduction of organisms. It is a tightly regulated process that guarantees the transmission of genetic material to daughter cells.
There are two main types of cell division: mitosis and meiosis. Mitosis is a type of cell division that results in two cells, each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus. This process is responsible for the growth and maintenance of most cells in the body. Meiosis, on the other hand, is a type of cell division that results in four cells, each with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. This process is necessary for sexual reproduction.
Mitosis consists of four main stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. During these stages, the cell duplicates its chromosomes and then separates them into two identical sets in two nuclei. The final stage of cell division, called cytokinesis, is not part of mitosis but follows it. It involves the division of the cytoplasm to form two separate daughter cells.
Meiosis, however, is a more complex process and involves two rounds of division, resulting in four daughter cells. These daughter cells are not genetically identical, as in mitosis, but have half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. This is important for the process of sexual reproduction and the genetic diversity of offspring.
Importance of Cell Division
Cell division is a fundamental process for life. It is responsible for growth, development, and repair in multicellular organisms. Without cell division, we would not grow from a single cell to a complex organism, wounds would not heal, and we would not be able to replace old or damaged cells.
In addition, cell division is also critical for reproduction. In sexual reproduction, meiosis ensures that each new individual will have a unique combination of genetic material, contributing to the diversity and adaptability of a population.
Understanding cell division is also crucial for understanding and treating diseases, such as cancer. Cancer is essentially a disease of uncontrolled cell division, where cells divide and proliferate in an uncontrolled way, potentially leading to the formation of tumors or the spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body.
References
- Alberts B, Johnson A, Lewis J, et al. Molecular Biology of the Cell. 4th edition. New York: Garland Science; 2002. Mitosis and Meiosis. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK26846/
- Khan Academy. Cell division and growth. Available from: https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/cellular-molecular-biology
- Lodish H, Berk A, Zipursky SL, et al. Molecular Cell Biology. 4th edition. New York: W. H. Freeman; 2000. The Cell Cycle and Programmed Cell Death. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK21500/
Practical Activity
Title: "The Cell Division Journey: Mitosis and Meiosis in Action"
Objective of the Project
The primary goal of this project is to enable students to understand the process of cell division, specifically mitosis and meiosis, and to appreciate how they contribute to growth, repair, and reproduction in living organisms.
Detailed Description of the Project
In this activity, groups of 3 to 5 students will create a stop-motion video or a comic strip illustrating each phase of both mitosis and meiosis. The video or comic strip should be accompanied by a description of each stage, highlighting the key events and the changes occurring within the cell. The students will also explain the differences between mitosis and meiosis and why these differences are important for the growth, development, and reproduction of an organism.
The project duration is one month, with an expected workload of 2 to 4 hours per week for each student.
Necessary Materials
- Access to textbooks, online resources, and videos for research
- Materials for the stop-motion video (e.g., camera, tripod, props, software for editing)
- Art supplies for comic strip (e.g., paper, pencils, markers)
- Presentation software for the final report
Detailed Step-by-Step for Carrying Out the Activity
Step 1: Research and Planning (1-2 hours)
The group should start by researching about mitosis and meiosis, using the indicated references as a starting point. They should understand the key events and the purpose of each stage in the two processes.
Afterward, the group should plan their video or comic strip, deciding how they want to represent each stage and what materials they will need.
Step 2: Creating the Stop-Motion Video or Comic Strip (4-6 hours)
The group should start creating their video or comic strip, ensuring that they accurately depict each stage of mitosis and meiosis. They can use the materials they gathered in the planning phase and be as creative as they want.
Step 3: Writing the Description and Explanation (1-2 hours)
While working on the video or comic strip, the group should write a detailed description of each stage, explaining what is happening in the cell and why it is important. They should also explain the differences between mitosis and meiosis.
Step 4: Presentation and Report Writing (1-2 hours)
The group will present their video or comic strip to the class, explaining their work and findings. They should also prepare a written report in the following format: Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Used Bibliography.
- Introduction: The context of the theme, its relevance, real-world application, and the objective of the project should be stated.
- Development: The theory behind the theme should be explained, the activity in detail, the methodology used, and the obtained results should be presented.
- Conclusion: The conclusions drawn from the project, including the learnings obtained and their correlation to the stated objectives, should be explicitly stated.
- Bibliography: All sources of information used in the project should be cited in this section.
The project will be assessed based on the accuracy of the representation, the depth of understanding demonstrated in the description and explanation, the clarity of the presentation and report, and the collaboration and teamwork demonstrated throughout the project.
By the end of the project, students should have a clear understanding of the process of cell division and its significance in the growth, development, and reproduction of organisms. They should also have improved their research, communication, and team collaboration skills.
