Mitosis and Meiosis Flashcards

Mitosis Overview

• Spindle fibers are responsible for moving chromatids during mitosis.
• Centrioles anchor the spindle fibers.
• Mitosis consists of four phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
• The process produces 2 identical daughter cells.
• Cytokinesis begins during the telophase.
• Each daughter cell retains the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell (e.g., humans have 46 chromosomes).

Meiosis Overview

• Meiosis creates sex cells, resulting in 4 daughter cells, each with half the number of chromosomes (e.g., dogs have 72 chromosomes; each daughter cell will also have 72 chromosomes).
• Chromosome duplication occurs before both mitosis and meiosis.
• Meiosis features a unique process called crossing-over.
• Daughter cells produced in meiosis are not identical, unlike those produced in mitosis.

Differences Between Mitosis & Meiosis

• Mitosis produces body cells while meiosis produces sex cells.
• Mitosis has four phases completed once, while meiosis has nine phases completed in two rounds.
• Mitosis yields cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent, whereas meiosis results in cells with half the chromosome number.

Similarities Between Mitosis & Meiosis

• Both processes involve the same phase names.
• New cells are created through both processes.
• Chromosomes are copied during interphase before both mitosis and meiosis.

Importance of Meiosis

• Meiosis is crucial for reproduction, generating cells with half the normal chromosome count to ensure that offspring have the correct number of chromosomes.
• It enhances genetic diversity through processes like crossing-over.

Phases of Mitosis

• Interphase: Preparation phase where chromosomes are not visible, but the nucleolus is apparent.
• Prophase: Chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, nucleolus disappears, and centrioles move to opposite poles.
• Metaphase: Chromosomes align along the metaphase plate, guided by spindle fibers.
• Anaphase: Chromosomes separate and migrate to opposite sides of the cell.
• Telophase: Fibers disperse, and cells begin the separation process.
• Cytokinesis: The final step where cell cleavage occurs, resulting in the formation of two separate cells.