Cell Division

Mitosis is a cell division process that produces two daughter cells that are identical in chromosome number and in chromosome combination. For example, if a cell has 4 chromosomes and divides by mitosis, it will produce two daughter cells each having 4 chromosomes. This type of cell division is used as a form of reproduction for single cell organisms. However,most multicellular organisms use this type of cell division for growth, repair and to replace cells that have died. To further enhance your understanding of this cellular process, click on the following link. MITOSIS ANIMATION Note: Cancer is uncontrollable mitosis.

Meiosis is a cell division process that produces 4 daughter cells that are not identical. Meiosis is the cell division that produces the gametes or sex cells. The sperm is the male sex cell and the egg is the female sex cell. Cells that are produced by meiosis are not identical in chromosomes combination and have half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. For example, humans have 46 chromosomes; our sex cells, each have 23 chromosomes. Fertilization or the union of the sperm and the egg restores the number of chromosomes to 46. For further elaboration of this process, clink on the following link.

MEIOSIS ANIMATION

MEIOSIS ANIMATION2

Mitosis vs Meiosis

Karyotype

Karyotype is a technique used to detect chromosomal abnormalities. To carry out this process, the cell cycle is arrested or stopped during mitosis when the chromosomes are coiled and visible. Karyotyping separates and aligns chromosomes by matching pairs. This facilitates the identification of any inconsistency. Diseases like Down Syndrome and other chromosomal diseases can be detected using this procedure. To learn more, click on the following links.

Click Karyotype Activity

List two diseases that can be diagnosed using this procedure. (Hint: look up chromosomal diseases)