What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis? library.thinkquest.org

Vocabulary Mitosis: The phase in the cell cycle during which the nucleus divides Meiosis: A part of sexual reproduction in which cells divide to form sperm cells in a male and egg cells in a female. Meiosis occurs only in reproductive cells.

Vocabulary DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid, a chemical that contains information for an organism’s growth and functions Chromosomes: the physical structure in a cell that contains the cell’s DNA (genetic material) Cell cycle: the normal sequence of development and division of a cell Genome: All the DNA of an organism, including its genes; the genetic material of an organism.

Mitosis and Meiosis Create two cells from one cell! there has to be enough stuff for both cells to be able to live so, there has to be duplication of a lot of stuff before the first cell (parent) divides.

Mitosis and Meiosis One of the things to duplicate is the genome. These are the chromosomes which are made up of DNA. Once the DNA replicates (makes 2 copies of everything from what the parent originally had), the cell can divide.

Mitosis and Meiosis There are now 4 chromosomes of each type we started out with our usual 2 of each most organisms have 2 of each chromosome and they differ slightly from each other- this becomes important for meiosis then when everything is duplicated, we get 4!

Differences of Mitosis and Meiosis the 2 cells that come out of the division (daughters) are EXACTLY the same in genetic makeup as the original mother cell. They have the very same DNA and therefore make the same proteins and therefore the cells behave the same.

Differences of Mitosis and Meiosis Purpose of meiosis is to make new types of cells! (the cells are not the same at all) Eggs and sperm are products of meiosis Genetic diversity happens from mixing of genes inside the cells of the mother and father Why do you have traits given to you from your grandmother through your father, even though your father may not have that trait ? (he carries it in his genes for later mixing)