University:
Felician University
Course:
BIO-103 | General Biology I
Academic year:

2020
Views:

464

Pages:

1
Author:

larbiwxcvbn

CALCULATING MITOTIC INDEX Introduction Reproduction is a function of life and involves the formation of new cells from a progenitor source (a ‘parent’ cell). This cell division produces new ‘daughter’ cells that can form multicellular tissues or entirely new organisms. In eukaryotes, the process of cell division involves a sequence of events that are collectively described as mitosis. Mitotic division is a fluid process whereby one stage evolves into the next, meaning the identification of stages can be somewhat subjective. However, each stage is characterised by certain events that must occur within a consistent order: • Prophase – Chromatin appears as fine threads (chromosomes) within a nuclear boundary. • Metaphase – Chromosomes are thick and arranged along the equatorial plane of the cell. • Anaphase – Chromatid separation can be seen (chromosomes form two distinct clumps). • Telophase – Chromosomes appear at poles as chromatin masses within nuclear boundaries. Interphase Prophase Metaphase Anaphase Telophase The mitotic index of a cell population is the ratio between the number of cells in mitosis and the total number of cells. It can be used as a clinical tool to determine the degree of cell proliferation within a tissue (e.g. for cancer identification). The mitotic index is calculated using the formula: Mitotic Index = 𝐶𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑀𝑖𝑡𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑠 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑁𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝐶𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑠