36 Further Thought – When Cell Division Doesn’t Work
Kara Stanley
When Cell Division Goes Awry
Cell reproduction is like following a recipe – one mistake can mess up the whole dish! Errors during cell division can lead to cells with too many or too few chromosomes, throwing off the delicate balance of instructions needed for proper function. This can cause problems with growth, development, and even lead to diseases like cancer. That’s why careful checks and balances are in place during cell division to ensure accurate copying of the genetic instructions, keeping organisms running smoothly.
- ELife article – What happens to plants when cell division goes wrong?
- Genes and Development journal article – The impact of mitotic errors on cell proliferation and tumorigenesis
- Biology Journal Article – The Consequences of Chromosome Segregation Errors in Mitosis and Meiosis
- Georgia State University – When Cell Division Goes Wrong