Activity: The Cell Cycle Flip Book

Goal: To identify, describe, and illustrate the basic stages of the cell cycle.

Background Information: In order for the total number of cells to increase and for an organism to grow, the cells must undergo cell division. During cell division, one cell divides into two cells. Each new cell, called a daughter cell, is identical to the other and to the parent cell.

Cell division occurs in stages, or phases. The first stage of cell division is called interphase, the second stage is called mitosis and the last stage is called cytokinesis. Interphase is the period before cell division. During this stage, the cell grows to its mature size, makes a copy of its DNA, and prepares for division by making all the structures the cell will need to divide. Mitosis is the stage during which the cell’s nucleus divides into two new nuclei. During mitosis, one copy of the DNA is distributed into each of the two daughter cells. Mitosis is divided into four phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. After mitosis, the final stage of the cell cycle, called cytokinesis, completes the process of cell division. During cytokinesis, the cytoplasm divides, distributing the organelles into each of the two new cells.

Materials: 4 sheets of 81/2 X 14 inch copy paper, colored pencils, science textbook, cell cycle diagrams, flip book template

Procedure:

  1. Arrange your four sheets of copy paper in a flip book that has eight sections. Your teacher will model this procedure for you. Use the flip book template to label each flap of the book with the corresponding stage or phase of the cell cycle. All your drawings should be done in colored pencils and your written work can either be handwritten or generated on a computer.
  2. Label the top flap The Cell Cycle. Decorate this as the cover for your project.
  3. Illustrate and describe each flap of the book to correspond with thestage or phase of the cell cycle you printed on the flap. Use pages 64 and 65 in your text book, and the drawings provided at your stations to help you make your drawings and write your descriptions. Your descriptions should be written in your own words,
  4. The last flap of your book should include your name.
  5. This assignment is due on ______.

The Cell Cycle
INTERPHASE
MITOSIS
Prophase
Metaphase
Anaphase
Telophase
CYTOKINESIS
Name: Core: