Mitosis and Meiosis Flashcards

Study Notes

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 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.

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.

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.

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.