Cell Division

by Greg Crowther

The cell cycle is a series of steps by which one cell divides into two. These steps include mitosis, by which the chromosomes are divided; cytokinesis, in which the cytoplasm is divided between two daughter cells; and several other steps collectively known as interphase. This short song was originally written for Biology 241 at South Seattle College.

Prophase: chromosomes can be seen if stained.
Metaphase: chromosomes line up in a plane.
Anaphase: chromosomes migrate toward the poles.
Telophase: chromosomes once again unroll.
Cytokinesis: two daughter cells form.
Interphase: "the calm before the storm"?

• MP3 (demo)

• sheet music

Songs like this one can be used during class meetings and/or in homework assignments. Either way, the song will be most impactful if students DO something with it, as opposed to just listening.

An initial, simple follow-up activity could be to answer the study questions below. A more extensive interaction with the song might entail (A) learning to sing it, using an audio file and/or sheet music as a guide, and/or (B) illustrating it with pictures, bodily poses, and/or bodily movements. The latter activity could begin with students identifying the most important or most challenging content of the song, and deciding how to illustrate that particular content.

(1) Where is the plane where the chromosomes line up?

(2) Is cytokinesis part of mitosis?

(3) Is it scientifically accurate to call Interphase "the calm before the storm"?