Why cells divide

Anaphase : The paired chromosomes split at the centromere and the two halves migrate along the spindle fibers to opposite sides of the cell. At the same time, the center of the cell begins to pinch.

Telophase : Cell division occurs, and each is identical to the original. Cells return to Interphase and prepare for another round of division. The blue arrow represents Interphase, where the cell is not undergoing mitosis. After many rounds of cell division, the individual develops into a complex, multicellular organism, as seen in this c mature sea urchin.

Skip to main content. Module 8: Cell Division. Search for:. Licenses and Attributions. CC licensed content, Original. Divisions need to occur in an extremely accurate manner in order to produce daughter cells that are healthy and viable but also to set up the topological cues for differentiation and organ geometry. Defects in cell division have been shown to be at the basis of several human pathologies.

For example, incorrect segregation of chromosomes is the cause of microcephaly if it occurs during brain development, Down syndrome if it occurs in meiosis and cancer if it occurs in adulthood.

The long-term goal of my research is to understand the molecular basis of how chromosome structure and dynamics during mitotic exit direct the reformation of a functional G1 nucleus and how protein de-phosphorylation regulates this process in space and time.

Multicellular organisms are composed of many types of specialised cells characterised by a specific gene expression program, different for each cell type. These specific programs must be maintained through generations and transmitted from mother to daughter cells. Cell division Mitosis poses a challenge to cellular identity because, during this complex process, the entire genome is repackaged into mitotic chromosomes, the Nuclear Envelope NE is disassembled, and transcription and translation are diminished.

If cell identity is to be preserved, a cell-specific organisation must be restored, and gene expression resumed efficiently and faithfully following mitosis.