As a cell begins the process of dividing, its chromosomes become shorter, thicker, and individually visible in an Light Microscope. Explain what is happening at the molecular level.

All Organisms Consist of Cells and Arise from Preexisting Cells Mitosis is the process by which new cells are generated. Meiosis is the process by which gametes are generated for reproduction. The Cell Cycle Represents All Phases in the Life of a Cell DNA replication (S phase) must precede mitosis, so that all daughter cells receive the same complement of chromosomes as the parent cell. The gap phases separate mitosis from S phase. This is the time when molecular signals mediate the switch in cellular activity. Mitosis involves the separation of copied chromosomes into separate cells Unregulated Cell Division Can Lead to Cancer Cell-cycle checkpoints normally ensure that DNA replication and mitosis occur only when conditions are favorable and the process is working correctly. Mutations in genes that encode cell-cycle proteins can lead to unregulated growth, resulting in tumor formation and ultimately invasion of cancerous cells to other read less