Department of Education Region VII

Division of Mandaue City

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 8

QUARTER 4, WEEK 2

SELF LEARNING MODULE

1
 FOREWORD

This Self-Learning Kit (SLK) in Science will serve as a guide

for grade 8 learners in studying about the cells in a greater
perspective.

In this kit, you will understand more about the cell’s

structure and the manner how they reproduce and its implications
with regard to our health.

Every living thing undergoes reproduction. The nutrients

taken by an individual will provide for energy for metabolic
processes, for growth and development as well as reproduction.
The cellular level of reproduction, in the form of cell division
provides for the backdrop for the organisms’ level of reproduction.

This module will differentiate the two types of cell division:

mitosis and meiosis, as well as correlate with the behavior of
chromosomes in the cell during meiosis.

2
LEARNING COMPETENCY:

1. Compare mitosis and meiosis, and their role in the cell division
cycle
2. Explain the significance of meiosis in maintaining the chromosome
number

OBJECTIVES:

1. To describe the cell cycle

2. To differentiate mitosis from meiosis

I. What I Know?
In order for the organisms to survive, cells must create new cells.
Billions of cells must divide each day to maintain its highly organized
structure. This activity will enable the learners to briefly review the parts of a
cell which play an important role in cell division.

Activity 1- Ex-Cell-ent!

Direction: Identify the parts of the cell that is pointed at, and write your
answer on the space provided. Choose from the pool of words given at the
right box.

CHROMOSOMES
A CENTROMERES
NUCLEUS
CENTROSOME
CENTRIOLES
B CHROMATIDS

ANSWERS:
C
A. _________________
B. _________________
D C. _________________
D. _________________

3
 II. What’s In?
THE CELL CYCLE

Actively dividing eukaryotic cells pass through a series of stages known

collectively as the cell cycle: two gap phases (G1 and G2), an S (for synthesis)
phase, in which the genetic material is duplicated and an M phase, in which
mitosis partitions the genetic material and the cell divides.

• G1 phase. Metabolic changes prepare the cell for division. At a certain

point- the restriction point- the cell is committed to division and moves
into the S phase.

• S phase. DNA synthesis replicates the genetic material. Each

chromosome now consists of two sister chromatids

• G2 phase. Metabolic changes assembles the cytoplasmic materials

necessary for mitosis and cytokinesis

• M phase. A nuclear division (mitosis) followed by a cell division

(cytokinesis)

The period between mitotic divisions- that is: G1, S and G2 – is known as
INTERPHASE.

4
 MITOSIS

Mitosis is a form of eukaryotic cell division that produces two daughter

cells with the same genetic component as the parent cell. Chromosomes
replicated during the S phase are divided in such a way as to ensure that
each daughter cell receives a copy of every chromosome. In actively
dividing animal cells, the whole process takes about an hour.

The replicated chromosomes are attached to a mitotic apparatus that

aligns them and then separates the sister chromatids to produce an even
partitioning of the genetic material. This separation of the genetic material
in a mitotic nuclear division (karyokinesis) is followed by a separation of
the cell cytoplasm in a cellular division (cytokinesis) to produce two
daughter cells.
In some single-celled organisms mitosis forms the basis of asexual
reproduction in diploid multicellular organisms’ sexual reproduction
involves the fusion of two haploid gametes to produce a diploid zygote.
Mitotic divisions of the zygote and daughter cells are then responsible for
the subsequent growth and development of the organism. In the adult
organism, mitosis plays a role in cell replacement, wound healing and
tumor formation.

Mitosis, although a continuous process is conventionally divided into

five stages: prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase.

5
 I. Prophase
Prophase occupies over half of mitosis. The nuclear membrane
breaks down to form a number of small vesicles and the nucleolus
disintegrates. A structure known as the centrosome duplicates
itself to form two daughter centrosomes that migrate to opposite
ends of the cell. The centrosomes organize the production of
microtubules that form the spindle fibers that constitute the mitotic
spindle. The chromosomes condense into compact structures. Each
replicated chromosome can now be seen to consist of two identical
chromatids (sister chromatids) held together by a structure known
as the centromere.

II. Prometaphase
The chromosomes led by their centromeres, migrate to the equatorial
plane in the mid-line of the cell- at right-angles to the axis formed
by the centrosomes. This region of the mitotic spindle is known as
the metaphase plate. The spindle fibers bind to a structure
associated with the centromere of each chromosome called
kinetochore. Individual spindle fibers bind to a kinetochore
structure on each side of the centromere. The chromosomes
continue to condense.

III. Metaphase
The chromosomes align themselves along the metaphase plate of the
spindle apparatus.

IV. Anaphase
The shortest stage of mitosis. The centromeres divide and the sister
chromatids of each chromosome are pulled apart-or disjoin- and
move to the opposite ends of the cell pulled by spindle fibers attached
to the kinetochore regions. The separated sister chromatids are now
referred to as daughter chromosomes. It is the alignment and
separation in metaphase and anaphase that is important in
ensuring that each daughter cell receives a copy of every
chromosome.

V. Telophase
The final stage of mitosis, and a reversal of many of the processes
observed during prophase. The nuclear membrane reforms around
the chromosomes grouped at either pole of the cell, the
chromosomes uncoil and become diffuse and the spindle fibers
disappear.

VI. Cytokinesis
The final cellular division to form two new cells in plants, a cell plate
forms along the line of the metaphase plate, in animals, there is a
constriction of the cytoplasm. The cell then enters interphase- the
interval between mitotic divisions.

6
MEIOSIS

Meiosis is the form of eukaryotic cell division that produces haploid sex
cells or gametes (which contain a single copy of each chromosome) from
diploid cells (which contain two copies of each chromosome). The process
takes the form of one DNA replication followed by two successive nuclear and
cellular divisions (Meiosis I and Meiosis II). As in mitosis, meiosis is preceded
by a process of DNA replication that converts each chromosome into two sister
chromatids.

Meiosis I
Meiosis I separates the parts of homologous chromosomes.

7
In meiosis I a special cell division reduces the cell from diploid to haploid

I. Prophase
The homologous chromosomes pair and exchange DNA to form
recombinant chromosomes Prophase I is divided into five phases:
• Leptotene chromosomes start to condense
• Zygotene homologous chromosomes become closely
associated (synapsis) to form pairs of chromosomes (bivalents)
consisting of four chromatids (tetrads)
• Diplotene homologous chromosomes start to separate but
remain attached by chiasmata
• Diakinesis homologous chromosomes continue to separate
and chiasmata move to the ends of the chromosome

II. Prometaphase I
Spindle apparatus formed and chromosomes attached to spindle
fibers by kinetochores

III. Metaphase I
Homologous pairs of chromosomes (bivalents) arranged as a double
row along the metaphase plate. The arrangement of the paired
chromosomes with respect to the poles of the spindle apparatus is
random along the metaphase plate. (this is a source of genetic
variation through random assortment as the paternal and maternal
chromosomes in a homologous pair are similar but not identical. The
number of possible arrangements is 2n, where n is the number of
chromosomes in a haploid set. Humans beings have 23 different
chromosomes, so the number of possible combinations is 223 which
is over 8 million.

IV. Anaphase I
The homologous chromosomes in each bivalent are separated and
move to the opposite poles of the cell.

V. Telophase I
The chromosomes become diffuse and the nuclear membrane
reforms.

VI. Cytokinesis
The final cellular division to form two new cells, followed by Meiosis
II. Meiosis I is a reduction division: the original cell had two copies
of each chromosomes, the newly formed haploid cells have one copy
of each chromosome.

8
Meiosis II
Meiosis II separates each chromosome into two chromatids.

The events of Meiosis II are analogous to those of a mitotic division, although

the number of chromosomes involved has been halved.
Meiosis generates genetic diversity through:
• The exchange of genetic material between homologous
chromosomes during Meiosis I
• The random alignment of maternal and paternal chromosomes in
Meiosis I
• The random alignment of sister chromatids at Meiosis II

9
 III. What’s New?

Activity 2- How your body makes new cells?

Directions: Below are the pictures of stages of mitosis. Arrange the pictures
in sequence by writing the name of stage of mitosis in a box below the
picture, based on the given description in the table.

1 2

3 4 5

Questions: Encircle the LETTER of your answer.

6. How does the number of chromosomes in the daughter cells compare
with that of the parent?
A. Same B. doubled C. halved

7. If these chromosomes carry the genetic material for physical trait, how
does the appearance of daughter cells compare with that of the
parent?
A. same B. different C. cannot be determined

8. Based on the activity, how do you define mitosis?

A. It happens in sex cells
B. It produces identical daughter cells
C. it cuts the chromosome number of daughter cells into halves

Activity 3- How does your body makes Sperms and Egg?

Directions: Match the pictures showing the stages of meiosis with the given
description. Arrange them in sequence by writing the number and name of
stage of meiosis in a box below the picture based on the given description in
the table.

10
Meiosis I

1. 2.

3. 4.

5.

Meiosis II

6. 7.

8.

11
Questions: Encircle the LETTER of your answer.
9. How does the number of chromosomes in the daughter cells compare
with that of the parent? A. Same B. doubled C. halved

10. How can a diploid number of chromosomes be possible? When a

cell divides
A. Once B. twice C. thrice

11. What is chromosome number carried by both sperm cell and

Egg cell?
A. Haploid B. diploid C. cannot be determined

12. If these chromosomes carry the genetic material for physical

traits, how does the appearance of the offspring compare with that of
the parent?
A. same B. different C. cannot be determined

13. Based on the activity, how do you define meiosis?

A. It happens in somatic cells
B. It produces identical daughter cells
C. It cuts the chromosome number of daughter cells into halves

IV. What’s More?

Activity 4- Spot the difference

Venn Diagram
Directions: Fill in the space where the circles overlap with characteristics
that are common to both types of reproduction. Fill in the space to the left
with characteristics that are specific to mitosis and the space to the right
with characteristics specific to meiosis. Choose your answer from the pool of
words in the box below.

Genetic variation doesn’t exist

Chromosome number remains the same
chromosome number is halved in each daughter cell
Produces 2 diploid daughter cells
Purpose is cellular proliferation
Produces 4 haploid daughter cells
Happens in somatic cells
Happens in sex cells
4 stages + interphase
produce new cells
purpose is sexual reproduction
similar basic steps
start with a single parent cell
8 stages + interphase
genetic variation increased

12
 Meiosis
Mitosis
Same to both

ABNORMALITIES DURING CELL DIVISION

Chromosome abnormalities often happen due to one or more of these:

1. errors during dividing of sex cells (meiosis)

Normally, meiosis causes each parent to give 23 chromosomes to a

pregnancy. When a sperm fertilizes an egg, the union leads to a baby with
46 chromosomes. But if meiosis doesn’t happen normally, a baby may have
an extra chromosome (trisomy) or having a missing chromosome
(monosomy). These problems can cause pregnancy loss or they can cause
health problems in a child.
A woman age 35 years or older is at high risk of having a baby with a
chromosomal abnormality. This is because errors in meiosis may be more
likely to happen as a result of the aging process. Women born with all of
their eggs already in their ovaries. The eggs begin to mature during
puberty. If a woman is 35 years old, the eggs in her ovaries are also 35
years old.

2. errors during dividing of body or somatic cells (mitosis)

Mitosis is the dividing of all other cells in the body. It’s how a baby in
the womb grows. Mitosis causes the number of chromosomes to double to
92, and then split in half back to 46. This process repeats constantly in
the cells as the baby grows. Mitosis continues throughout your lifetime. It
replaces skin cells, blood cells, and other types of cells that are damaged
or naturally die.

13
 During pregnancy, an error in mitosis can occur. If the chromosomes
don’t split into equal halves, the new cells can have an extra chromosome
(47 total) or have a missing chromosome (45 total).

3. Gene mutations
Cancer is caused by changes (mutations) to the DNA within cells. The
DNA inside a cell is packaged into a large number of individual genes,
each of which contains a set of instructions telling the cell what
functions to perform, as well as how to grow and divide. Errors in the
instructions can cause the cell to stop its normal function and may
allow a cell to become cancerous and multiple rapidly.

Causes of gene mutation includes:

a. Gene mutations you are born with or inherited from parents
b. Gene mutations that occur after birth may be caused by: smoking,
radiation, viruses, carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals), obesity,
hormones, chronic inflammation and lack of exercise.

V. What’s More ?

Activity 5. Name That Poison

Cancer is caused by chemicals around us. In the activity below, you will
be familiarized with the different kinds of toxic chemicals that may affect the
normal functioning of your cell and later on, becomes cancer.

Matching type . Match the Poison in Column A that causes the Diseases in
Column B. Write the LETTER of your answer on the space provided.

Column A Column B
_____1. Carbon monoxide A. lack of oxygen in the brain
_____2. Lead B. lung cancer and asbestosis
_____3. Benzene C. leukemia
_____4. Asbestos D. black lung disease
_____5. Coal mine dust E. lowered I.Q. in exposed children
_____6. Carbon tetrachloride F. burns to the respiratory tract
_____7. Mercury G. lung cancer, also exacerbation of
asthma in persons
In persons with allergies
_____8. Hydrogen fluoride H. changes in personality and mental
ability
_____9. Diesel soot I. liver damage (hepatitis) and kidney
poisoning

14
 VI. ASSESSMENT

Multiple Choice: ENCIRCLE THE LETTER of the correct answer.

1. Which happens when cell divides?

A. The cell’s volume increases
B. It becomes more difficult for the cell to get enough oxygen &
nutrients
C. The cell has DNA overload
D. Each daughter cell receives its own copy of the parent cell’s DNA

2. Which pair is correct?

A. G1 phase, DNA replication C. S phase, cell division
B. G2 phase, preparation for mitosis D. M phase, cell growth

3. Which event occurs during interphase?

A. The cell grows C. spindle fibers to form
B. Centrioles appears D. centromeres divide

4. During which phase of mitosis do the chromosomes line up along the

middle of the dividing cell?
A. Prophase B. telophase C. metaphase D.
anaphase

5. Which represents the phase of mitosis in their proper sequence?

A. Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase
B. Interphase, prophase, metaphase, telophase
C. Interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase
D. Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, cytokinesis

6. What is the role of spindle during mitosis?

A. It helps separate the chromosomes C. it duplicates the
DNA
B. It breaks down the nuclear membrane D. it divides the cell in half

7. One difference between cell division in plant cells and in animal cells
is that plant cells have
A. Centrioles B. centromeres C. cell plate D.
chromatin

8. During normal mitotic cell division, a parent cell having 4

chromosomes will produce two daughter cells, each containing _______
chromosomes.
A. 2 B. 4 C. 8 D. 16

9. If an organism’s diploid number is 12, its haploid number is

A. 12 B. 6 C. 24 D. 3

15
 10. Gametes or reproductive cells have
A. Homologous chromosomes
B. Twice the number of chromosomes found in body cells

C. 2 sets of chromosomes
D. one allele for each gene

11. Gametes are produced by the process of

A. Mitosis C. crossing-over
B. meiosis D. replication

12. Unlike mitosis, meiosis results in the formation of

A. Diploid cells C. 2n daughter cells
B. Haploid cells D. body cells

13. Unlike mitosis, meiosis results in the formation of

A. 2 genetically identical cells C. 4 genetically identical cells
B. 4 genetically different cells D. 2 genetically different cells

For questions 14 & 15, refer to the diagram shown:

14. The process shown in item A is
known as
A. Ovulation
B. Oogenesis
C. spermatogenesis
D. mitosis

15. The process shown in item B is

known as
A. Ovulation C. spermatogenesis
B. Oogenesis D. mitosis

References:

https://www2.le.ac.uk/projects/vgec/highereducation/topics/cellcycle-
mitosis-meiosis

https://www.cancerquest.org/cancer-biology/cell-division

16
 Republic of the Philippines
SYNOPSIS Department of Education
Region VII, Central Visayas
DIVISION OF MANDAUE CITY
This Self Learning Kit helps us Plaridel St.,Centro, Mandaue City
learn more about cells, their nature
and behavior, which affects much ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
our everyday living
NIMFA D. BONGO, EdD.,CESO V
Schools Division Superintendent
This further explains the
manner how cells reproduce, ESTELA B. SUSVILLA,PhD., CESO VI
together with its implications. That Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
cells are divided into two types: the
body cells and the reproductive ISMAELITA DESABILLE, EdD
cells. And the reproduction of these Education Program Supervisor-LRMDS
cells can be mitosis and meiosis,
respectively. RUFINO T. TUDLASAN Jr.,PhD.
Education Program Supervisor-SCIENCE

MILDRED D. MATIN-AO
Writer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MILDRED D. MATIN-AO, Master Teacher 1

She graduated Bachelor of Science in Biology (B.S. Biology) in

University of San Carlos, Cebu City. Obtaining units in Education from
San Nicolas College, Surigao City. She completed her academic
requirements in Master of Arts in Teaching Science in Southwestern
University, Cebu City. Presently teaching science for 23 years in
Cabancalan National High School, and has served as the science
Coordinator of the said school for about 10 years, before being
replaced and became a Master Teacher in 2012.

17
18