What Biochemicals Affect Cell Division Rate?

Proteins

• Proteins are a complex group of biochemicals that consist of amino acid links joined together by peptide bonds. This large group of biochemicals function largely as the building blocks of most living things. Some proteins are required for cell division to take place, especially during binary fission, the main growth method of prokaryotic cells. It is thought that many of these proteins need to be present at the same time for cell division to occur. FtsZ is a scientific name given to a group of proteins commonly required for this type of cell division to occur.

Hormones

• One large group of biochemicals, which have a profound effect on cell division are hormones. Hormones come in many types and can either stimulate or inhibit cell division. Plant hormones are called phytohormones and can be further broken down into auxins, cytokinins, gibberellins, ethylene and abscisic acid. The chemical formula varies among these substances, but each one does have a special effect on some aspect of cell division and growth, even ethylene, which is a gaseous hydrocarbon produced by the plant. In animals, hormones are released into the blood stream, where they can either act as inhibitors or stimulators when they arrive at the specific target area.

Other compounds

• Other plant-produced compounds such as brassinosteroids, jasmonate, salicylates, polyamines, systemin and nitric oxide are also known to act as inhibitors or stimulators of plant growth. Nitric oxide is not a biochemical, but it is a byproduct of plant metabolism. Brassinosteroid is a steroid, while salicylate, another plant byproduct, is commonly ingested by the human population in the form of aspirin. Some researchers believe that this compound is required by the human body in tiny amounts. More recently, in 2004, scientists identified a chemical found in forest fire smoke that stimulated the germination of seedlings. This substance turned out to be a series of butenolides.

Kinesin

• Kinesin are a subgroup of proteins, called motor proteins. In other words these complex molecules are capable of movement within the cell. In the case of kinetins, these biochemicals seem to aid the movement of chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis. The knowledge and study of motor proteins is a new area of research that involves complex biochemical analysis of cellular activities.