Meiosis & Mitosis Flashcards
What is Mitosis?
A type of cell division used to make identical copies of cells. (Body cells)
How many daughter cells does Mitosis result in?
2 daughter cells
What are the main functions of Mitosis?
- Growth
- Repair of damaged tissues
Which type of cells are incapable of dividing or repairing themselves?
Neurons.
What is Meiosis?
A type of cell division that produces four different cells that are genetically different from the original mother cell.
What is the main function of Meiosis?
To produce gametes.
What is another word for reproductive cells?
Gametes.
When does Meiosis happen in females?
In the uterus, but the ova are only mature enough to be fertilized starting at puberty.
When does Meiosis happen in males?
Meiosis starts at puberty and ends at death for males
How many daughter cells does Meiosis result in?
4 non-identical daughter cells.
What is “Crossing over” ?
The exchange of paternal & maternal DNA between chromosomes.
What does “Crossing over” have to do with genetic diversity?
If crossing over didn’t happen, everyone would look identical which can cause genetic defects, and genetic mutations and cause the extinction of species.
What does “Diploid” mean?
Two pairs of chromosomes in daughter cells.
What does “Haploid” mean?
A single chromosome in daughter cells.
Why do daughter cells contain one chromosome in Meiosis?
In Meiosis, daughter cells have one chromosome so they can combine during fertilization to produce a complete pair of chromosomes (a mix of paternal & maternal).
