Question

compare & contrast mitosis & meiosis
mitosis meiosis
1 function
2 type of cells that
undergo this
process
location in body
number of
daughter cells
produced
change in
chromosome
number
number of
divisions in the
nucleus

Explanation:

1. Function:

• Mitosis: For growth, repair, and asexual reproduction. It helps in the development of an organism from a single - celled zygote to a multi - celled organism and replaces damaged cells.
• Meiosis: Produces gametes (sperm and eggs). It is essential for sexual reproduction as it reduces the chromosome number by half, allowing the combination of genetic material from two parents during fertilization.

1. Type of cells that undergo this process:

• Mitosis: Somatic cells (body cells). These include cells like skin cells, muscle cells, and liver cells.
• Meiosis: Germ cells. In animals, these are the cells in the testes (for sperm production) and ovaries (for egg production).

1. Location in Body:

• Mitosis: Virtually all body tissues. For example, in the epidermis (skin), bone marrow (for blood cell production), and the lining of the digestive tract.
• Meiosis: In the gonads. In males, it occurs in the seminiferous tubules of the testes, and in females, it occurs in the ovaries.

1. Number of Daughter Cells Produced:

• Mitosis: 2 daughter cells. Each daughter cell is genetically identical to the parent cell.
• Meiosis: 4 daughter cells. These daughter cells are genetically different from the parent cell and from each other due to processes like crossing - over and independent assortment.

1. Change in Chromosome Number:

• Mitosis: No change. The daughter cells have the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell (diploid to diploid, e.g., in humans, 46 chromosomes in parent and daughter cells).
• Meiosis: Halved. The parent cell is diploid (e.g., 46 chromosomes in humans), and the daughter cells (gametes) are haploid (23 chromosomes in humans).

1. Number of Divisions in the Nucleus:

• Mitosis: 1 nuclear division. It consists of prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
• Meiosis: 2 nuclear divisions (Meiosis I and Meiosis II). Meiosis I is the reductional division (where the chromosome number is halved), and Meiosis II is similar to mitosis in terms of the separation of sister chromatids.

Answer:

1. Mitosis: Growth, repair, asexual reproduction; Meiosis: Produces gametes
2. Mitosis: Somatic cells; Meiosis: Germ cells
3. Mitosis: Virtually all body tissues; Meiosis: Gonads
4. Mitosis: 2; Meiosis: 4
5. Mitosis: No change; Meiosis: Halved
6. Mitosis: 1; Meiosis: 2