Topic 7 - Asexual Reproduction and Mitosis

Question 1

what is the definition of asexual reproduction?

Answer 1

asexual reproduction involves only one parent. the offspring has identical genes to the parent - there is no variation

Question 2

what is the definition of mitosis?

Answer 2

when a cell reproduces itself by splitting to form two cells with identical sets of chromosomes

Question 3

how does mitosis work?

Answer 3

1. in a cell that isn’t dividing, DNA is spread out in long strings
2. if the cell gets a signal to divide, it needs to duplicate its DNA. The DNA forms x-shaped chromosomes, with each ‘arm’ being an exact duplicate of the other
3. the chromosomes line up at the centre of the cell and cell fibres pull them apart. the two arms go to opposite ends of the cell.
4. membranes from around each of the sets of chromosomes. these become the new cells nuclei
5. lastly, the cytoplasm divides