Nathaniel Kan

Perspectives on Science
Cellular Asymmetry Problem Set

1) How is the centrosome organized?

Within the centrosome of an animal cell there are two centrioles, each composed of nine
sets of three microtubule bundles, arranged in a ring. These microtubules act as girders
which resist compression of the cell.

2) Why do many rounds of nuclear division occur before drosophila offspring begin
using their own DNA and why is it delayed?

Thirteen rounds. This delay allows the offspring to rely on proteins endowed from the
mother, and means that during the first cycles of division the cells do not have to make
their own proteins, allowing their DNA to simply be replicated.

3) What are the steps in the cell cycle?

Interphase is the first phase in cells, where they obtain resources and grow. When cells
begin to split, they go into Prophase, where the nucleoli disappear, and the two
centrosomes begin to move away from each other due to a lengthening of the microtubule
bundles in between them. Next is Prometaphase, where the nuclear envelope fragments.
Some chromosomes attach to microtubules. In Metaphase the chromosomes align along
the metaphase plate; the kinetochores of the chromosomes are attached to the
centrosomes. In Anaphase, the chromosomes separate, liberating the sister chromatids
from each other. The sisters begin moving twards opposite poles of the cell, as the
microtubules shorten. In the final phase, Telophase, non kinetochore microtubules begin
forcing the cell to separate, which it finally does in Cytokinesis.

4) Where is the contractile ring located during cell division and what is its function?

The contractile ring always assembles halfway between the poles and perpendicular to
the spindle. Its function is to gradually contract, squeezing the cell into two and
completing cell division.