UNIT 5 – DNA & CELL DIVISION

Block Day, 11/14, 11/15 – Fri, 11/30

Unit Objectives

At the conclusion of this unit, you should be able to:

1.  Distinguish among chromosomes, chromatids, and tetrads.

2.  List the components of a nucleotide.

3.  Distinguish between a purine and a pyrimidine. Describe the bases of DNA.

4.  Describe the structure of DNA and explain the chemical bond that connects the nucleotides of each strand. Compare & contrast that to the bonds that hold the two strands together.

5.  Describe the process of DNA replication and explain the role of helicase, primase, DNA polymerase, ligase, leading and lagging strands.

6.  Describe the works of Watson & Crick, Griffith, Hershey & Chase, Avery, and Chargaff.

7.  Describe the process of binary fission.

8.  Outline the necessary preparatory steps for mitosis including the reproduction of cell organelles such as the mitochondria and centrioles.

9.  List the stages of the cell cycle and describe the sequence of events and activities of these stages.

10. List the phases of mitosis proper, describe the events characteristic of each phase, and be able to recognize a diagram or micrograph of each stage.

11. Describe the spindle apparatus, including spindle fibers, kinetochores, asters, centrioles, & centromeres.

12. Explain how chromosomal movement toward the poles occurs.

13. Compare cytokinesis in animals and plants.

14. Identify factors which stimulate or inhibit cell division.

15. Explain how cancerous cell division is different from normal cell activity. (contact inhibition)

16. Distinguish between sexual and asexual reproduction.

17. Compare the chromosomal contents of haploid and diploid cells.

18. Calculate a mitotic index.

19. Describe the advantages of sexual and asexual reproduction.

20. Indicate where mitosis and meiosis would occur in a given organism.

21. List the phases of meiosis, describe the events that characterize each phase and be able to recognize these phases in diagrams.

22. Compare the end products of mitosis and meiosis.

23. Explain how independent assortment, crossing over, and random fertilization contribute to genetic variation in sexual reproduction.

Revised and reprinted with permission from Debbie Richards

Bryan ISD