Introduction
Living multicellular organisms are fragile biological systems that have the potential to be damaged by negative factors. Thus, touching the edge of the blade on the skin surface usually causes injury to the epidermis’ soft tissues. Nevertheless, somatic cells, which form the basis of tissues, are protected with regeneration, which makes it possible to start the processes of cell division, including the repair of damage. Cell cloning, which results in the creation of identical cells, is called Mitosis. Another type of division, Meiosis, is aimed at forming germ ones: sperm cells and eggs. This essay discusses two processes in the context of a patient with wound healing problems and embryogenesis stages.
Mitosis
Mitosis is a fundamental process underlying the preservation of genetic diversity. First of all, among the diversity should be highlighted skin cells, as it is one of the few species of living structures that have direct contact with the environment. The skin consists of three layers: hypodermis, dermis, and epidermis — only the outer layer is traditionally damaged by light wounds. In the case of the patient, she has problems with wound healing, which indicates a disturbance of mitosis processes, as the central postulate of cell theory says that all cells are formed from cells.
Mitosis is a short but essential stage in the life cycle of cells, during which the division of the parent individual in two occurs. This model is typical for eukaryotic somatic cells with a diploid set of chromosomes — as in the epidermis. Mitosis includes four substations, each of which differs in the nature of the division (BiologyWeymouthHS, 2018). Thus, at the first stage of Mitosis, Prophase, there is the destruction of the nuclear shell in the cell, and the content of the nucleus, DNA filaments, tightly twisted. Only at this stage chromosomes can be detected in the light microscope, and it is also the longest stage of cell division. The second stage is called Metaphase, and during this stage, the spindle apparatus’ microtubules, which began to form in the prosthesis, line up the chromosome at the cell equator. All genetic material is placed strictly in the middle, and each chromatid in the chromosome is connected with protein tubes. The Anaphase stage comes when the chromosomes are torn in half by shortening the tubes’ length, which leads to a temporary increase in DNA molecules inside the cell. If DNA were 46 molecules in Metaphase, there would be 92 DNA molecules in Anaphase (Campbell, 2009). The chromatids that are left of the chromosomes diverge to the cell poles, and the phase of Telophase begins. During the fourth phase, the shell of already two nuclei is restored, the equatorial boundary is formed, which breaks the cell into two parts. Thus, one diploid somatic skin cell forms two new cells identical to the first. This is where the process of tissue regeneration, which often takes place in the skin, rests. It is essential to recognize that Mitosis is an incredibly useful type of cell division since it keeps the genetic material unchanged and has high speed and autonomy. However, it often happens that it is not the variability that causes cell death.
Meiosis and Embryogenesis
Meiosis in the human body is realized only in the germ cells that form sperm and eggs. Meiosis is more complicated than Mitosis because it consists of two consecutive divisions, including four phases. These are Prophase I, Metaphase I, Anaphase I, and Telophase I, as well as Prophase II, Metaphase II, Anaphase II, and Telophase II (Vidyasagar, 2018). In general, the stages are similar to mitotic division, except that there are complexes of homologous chromosomes at the equator during Metaphase I. This is due to the processes of replication, conjugation, and crossover of chromosomes. As a result, four daughter cells have unique genetic diversity in comparison with the original one. For this reason, Meiosis has a significant advantage — it creates the conditions for adaptation and survival of organisms. However, this type of division requires more time and energy. Meiosis products, male sperm, and female eggs are mixed during fertilization than the embryogenesis process begins.
Embryogenesis is developing a fetus within the mother or in a laboratory environment where, through several mitotic divisions and differentiation, a single-celled zygote becomes a complete child. Once the sex cells have merged into one, multiple mitotic divisions occur. Moreover, the cells at this stage do not increase in volume, and the final product, Morula, is proportional to the zygote. The inner cavity begins to form, resulting in Blastula. After that, one part of the cells hangs inward to form an inner layer, creating a two-layer embryo called Gastrula. At this stage, cell differentiation processes are activated, and the first embryo tissue appears. Finally, a complex structure is formed, the Neurula, in which three layers of cells are already present, and their functional division continues.
Recommendations for the Patient
Naturally, it is impossible to change the processes taking place in the structures of living cells. In other words, the woman will not directly force the damaged somatic and sexual cells to divide normally. General recommendations may include maintaining a healthy lifestyle, eating healthy foods, and regular exercise, which may help to restore the energy balance of cells. There are some factors to stimulate Mitosis, the use of which will speed up skin regeneration processes. However, if the woman decides to take more courageous steps, she may seek help from In Vitro Fertilization specialists. This procedure involves artificial insemination and incubation of the embryo, after which the embryo is placed in the uterine cavity for further development.
References
BiologyWeymouthHS. (2018). Cell Division. Web.
Campbell, N. A. (2009). Essential biology with physiology. London, England: Pearson Education.
Vidyasagar, A. (2018). What is meiosis? Web.