Biology 1009- Lab - Rebecca Teed

Mitosis & Meiosis - Study Sheet

This is a supplement to, not a replacement for the lab book's introduction. Mitosis is cell division resulting in two identical daughter cells which are also identical to the parent cell. The stages into which it has been divided focus on the division of the nucleus, in part because it's easy to observe. It is used for asexual reproduction (whether two complete cells are being produced or spores) and for growth in multicellular organisms. Be able to list and describe (in words or pictures; I think pictures are easier) the five stages.
Meiosis, on the other hand, produces cells which are haploid (although the parent cell is usually diploid), and are genetically not identical. It is only used to produce gametes for sexual reproduction. In many organisms, the male and female gamete are of radically different sizes. The gametes unite and combine their chromosomes during fertilizationto produce a diploid zygote, which then grows through mitosis. Again, know and be able to describe the stages. Know where and when they deviate from those of mitosis. Don't worry too much about the plant life cycle, we'll deal with that in a later lab. Remember that there's a distinction between somatic and germ cells in animals. Be able to do the objectives on p. 116 (except #3, for now).

Know the following words:

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