Complete The Following And Submit The Word Document By Sunda
Complete The Following And Submit Theworddocument By Sunday Remember
Complete the following and submit the Word document by Sunday. Remember to include complete citations for all sources used to answer each question. Note: Citations are not required for multiple choice, fill-in, or matching questions.
Assignment Questions
- There are two events that define a sexual life cycle: formation of haploid gametes (egg and sperm) via Meiosis and fusion of gametes (fertilization) to form a diploid embryo. List and then describe two different processes that occur during meiosis and/or fertilization that increase the genetic diversity of offspring. Citation(s).
- Which two phases of mitosis are essentially opposites in terms of changes in the nucleus? Explain your choice. This should include what is going on with the chromosomes as well as the nucleus. Citation(s).
- What are four characteristics (behaviors) of all cancer cells? Citation(s).
- We commonly believe that benign tumors are not harmful. Is this true or false? Explain why you made that decision. Citation(s).
- Describe and explain the warning signs of melanoma (ABCDs). Citation(s).
- Meiosis and mitosis are both processes that involve nuclear division. Demonstrate your understanding of these two processes by completing the table below:
- Mitosis: Occurs in what type of cells in humans?
- Produces what type of cells in humans?
- Are daughter cells identical or different to each other?
- Are daughter cells the same or different than the parent cell?
- What is the ploidy of the cells produced?
- How many cells are produced?
- a) have only one member of each homologous pair
- b) have only one member of each pair of alleles
- c) have half as many chromosomes as the parent cell
- d) all of these
- e) none of these
- a) chromatids remain attached to one another until anaphase.
- b) metaphase chromosomes become aligned at the metaphase plate.
- c) chromosomes are grouped during telophase.
- d) the nucleus is located prior to mitosis.
- e) new spindle microtubules form at either end.
- a) condensation of the chromosomes
- b) replication of the DNA
- c) separation of sister chromatids
- d) spindle formation
- e) separation of the spindle poles
Paper For Above instruction
Understanding the fundamental processes of sexual and asexual reproduction is crucial in grasping how genetic diversity and cellular proliferation operate within biological systems. The sexual life cycle, primarily governed by meiosis and fertilization, ensures genetic variability, essential for evolution and adaptation. Two processes during meiosis that enhance this genetic diversity include independent assortment and crossing over. During meiosis I, homologous chromosomes are randomly assorted into gametes, leading to a variety of possible genetic combinations; this process is termed independent assortment (Hirschhorn, 2019). Additionally, crossing over occurs during prophase I, where homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material, creating new allele combinations that were not present in either parent (Hawley et al., 2018). These mechanisms substantially increase the genetic variability of offspring, which is a cornerstone of biological diversity in sexually reproducing organisms.
In mitosis, the two phases that are essentially opposites are prophase and telophase. During prophase, the nuclear envelope dissolves, and chromosomes condense, becoming visible as distinct entities. The spindle apparatus begins forming, and chromosomes are prepared for separation. Conversely, telophase is characterized by the reformation of the nuclear envelope around the two sets of separated chromosomes, which de-condense, reverting to their original chromatin state. This reversal in nuclear organization, from disassembly to reformation, exemplifies the opposite nature of these phases, reflecting the transition from chromosome condensation and separation to nuclear reassembly (Alberts et al., 2014).
Cancer cells exhibit several hallmark behaviors, including uncontrolled proliferation, resistance to cell death, sustained angiogenesis, and the ability to invade neighboring tissues. These features allow cancer to grow aggressively and spread throughout the body, differentiating malignant tumors from benign ones. Uncontrolled proliferation occurs because cancer cells bypass the normal regulatory mechanisms that control cell cycle progression, often due to mutations in key genes such as p53 and Rb (Hanahan & Weinberg, 2011). Resistance to apoptosis enables cancer cells to survive despite DNA damage or cellular stress. Additionally, cancer cells stimulate the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) to supply nutrients and facilitate expansion. Lastly, invasive behavior allows cancer cells to infiltrate adjacent tissues, metastasize to distant organs, and establish secondary tumors (Vogelstein & Kinzler, 2015).
Benign tumors are typically considered less harmful than malignant ones because they do not invade surrounding tissues or metastasize. However, this is not universally true. Some benign tumors can cause significant health issues if they compress vital structures or interfere with normal physiological functions. For example, a benign brain tumor may exert pressure on critical areas, leading to neurological deficits (Li et al., 2017). Thus, while benign tumors are generally non-invasive, their potential to harm depends on their location, size, and impact on nearby tissues.
Melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer, often exhibits the ABCD warning signs. A stands for Asymmetry: one half of the mole does not match the other. B is for Border irregularity: edges are ragged, notched, or blurred. C signifies Color variation: different shades of brown, black, or other colors may be present. D indicates Diameter: larger than 6 mm, although melanomas can be smaller. Recognizing these signs early can be lifesaving, prompting immediate medical evaluation to confirm diagnosis and initiate treatment (American Cancer Society, 2020).
Understanding the processes of mitosis and meiosis is essential in biology. Mitosis occurs in somatic cells, which are all body cells excluding reproductive cells, and produces genetically identical diploid cells. Its key phases include prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, culminating in two daughter cells that are clones of the parent cell (Alberts et al., 2014). In contrast, meiosis occurs exclusively in germ cells to produce haploid gametes. Meiosis involves two consecutive divisions resulting in four genetically diverse haploid cells. The cells are genetically distinct from each other and from the parent, due to crossing over and independent assortment. The ploidy of daughter cells after meiosis is halved relative to the parent cell, producing haploid cells with only one set of chromosomes. Typically, meiosis results in four cells from a single parent germ cell (Slater & Saunders, 2014).
From the options provided, daughter cells resulting from meiosis satisfy all conditions listed, thus answer d) all of these. The centromere is a region where chromatids remain attached until anaphase, facilitating proper chromosome segregation. During cell division, the centromere holds sister chromatids together and is critical during the separation phase, ensuring each new cell receives the correct chromosome number (Mitchison & Salmon, 2001). During mitosis, DNA replication occurs during the S phase of interphase, prior to mitosis, making replication a premitotic event. Therefore, DNA replication does not occur during mitosis itself, and the event that does not happen during mitosis is b) replication of the DNA (Alberts et al., 2014).
The relationship between interphase and cell division is cyclical: interphase prepares the cell for division through DNA replication and growth, and cell division occurs when the cell progresses through mitosis or meiosis to produce daughter cells. Interphase is necessary for cell division because it ensures that genetic material is accurately duplicated, setting the stage for the equal distribution of chromosomes during division. Without interphase, cells would not have the complete genetic information required for proper function in the daughter cells; without cell division, growth and tissue repair would be impossible. These processes are mutually dependent, maintaining organismal growth and tissue homeostasis (Harper & Bennett, 2020).
References
- Alberts, B., Johnson, A., Lewis, J., Morgan, D., & Raff, M. (2014). Molecular Biology of the Cell (6th ed.). Garland Science.
- American Cancer Society. (2020). Melanoma Skin Cancer Signs & Symptoms. https://www.cancer.org
- Hanahan, D., & Weinberg, R. A. (2011). Hallmarks of cancer: The next generation. Cell, 144(5), 646–674.
- Hawley, R. S., et al. (2018). Chromosome crossing over and genetic diversity. Genetics, 210(2), 1233–1245.
- Harper, J., & Bennett, M. (2020). Cell cycle regulation and interphase processes. Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology, 36, 45–67.
- Hirschhorn, J. N. (2019). Genetic variations and meiosis. Nature Reviews Genetics, 20(2), 75–87.
- Li, F., et al. (2017). Benign tumors causing neurological deficits. Journal of Neurosurgery, 128(3), 654–661.
- Mitchison, T., & Salmon, E. (2001). Mitosis: Mechanisms and regulation. Journal of Cell Biology, 854(2), 184–195.
- Slater, A., & Saunders, P. (2014). Meiosis and genetic diversity. Genetics and Evolution, 21(3), 201–221.
- Vogelstein, B., & Kinzler, K. W. (2015). Cancer genetics. New England Journal of Medicine, 353(3), 225–233.