Download Mitosis vs. Meiosis

Mitosis vs. Meiosis
Mitosis


Somatic (body) cell division – the basis of growth in our bodies
o Produces genetically identical daughter cells (same amount of chromosomes)
Phases
o Interphase = DNA duplicates, then cell will rest until it is ready to proceed to
mitosis
 Centriole duplicates and centrosomes move to opposite sides of the cell
o Prophase = centrosomes produce spindle fibers
 Nucleus disappears while the nuclear membrane dissolves to free the
condensed DNA (chromosomes) => will re-appear later
o Metaphase = chromosomes attach to the spindle fibers and move to the center of
the cell => called the metaphase plate
o Anaphase = spindle fibers pull the chromosomes apart to opposite sides of the cell
o Telophase = mitosis is completed
 Nucleus re-forms around each pair of chromosomes at the opposite sides
of the cell
o Cytokinesis = the cell pinches off into 2 genetically identical daughter cells
 Not a part of mitosis
Meiosis

Reproductive cell division – the basis of genetic reproduction
o Produces genetically varied daughter cells
o sperm and egg cells
 End result = each daughter cell has half the number of chromosomes (23)
o sperm (23) + egg (23) = zygote (developing offspring) (46)