meiosis v mitosis

What is the purpose of mitosis?

Mitosis produces genetically identical somatic (body) cells for growth, tissue repair, and asexual reproduction.

What is the purpose of meiosis?

Meiosis produces haploid gametes (n) for sexual reproduction and increases genetic variation through recombination and independent assortment.

What type of cells undergo mitosis?

Somatic (non-reproductive) cells undergo mitosis.

What type of cells undergo meiosis?

Germ cells in the gonads undergo meiosis to form gametes—sperm or eggs.

What happens during Prophase of mitosis?

Chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and the mitotic spindle begins to form.

What happens during Prophase I of meiosis?

Homologous chromosomes pair via synapsis, forming tetrads, and crossing over occurs.

What is crossing over?

A process during Prophase I where non-sister chromatids exchange DNA segments, producing recombinant chromosomes.

How do chromosomes line up in Metaphase of mitosis?

Individual chromosomes align at the metaphase plate without pairing of homologous chromosomes.

How do chromosomes line up in Metaphase I of meiosis?

Tetrads (paired homologs) line up at the metaphase plate randomly.

What is separated in Anaphase of mitosis?

Sister chromatids are pulled apart by spindle microtubules to opposite poles.

What is separated in Anaphase I of meiosis?

Homologous chromosomes are separated and pulled to opposite poles.

What is separated in Anaphase II of meiosis?

Sister chromatids are finally separated.

How many daughter cells result from mitosis?

Two diploid, genetically identical daughter cells.

How many daughter cells result from meiosis?

Four haploid, genetically distinct gametes.

How does genetic diversity differ between mitosis and meiosis?

Mitosis preserves genetic identity, producing clones, while meiosis generates diversity through crossing over and independent assortment.

How do spindle fibers differ in their function between mitosis and meiosis?

In mitosis, they attach to sister chromatids individually, while in meiosis, they attach to homologous pairs in Meiosis I.

What is the ploidy change in mitosis vs meiosis?

Mitosis: 2n → 2n (no change); Meiosis: 2n → n (reduction to haploid).

What key checkpoints regulate mitosis?

G1 checkpoint, G2 checkpoint, M checkpoint.

What key checkpoints regulate meiosis?

Meiotic recombination checkpoint and spindle assembly checkpoints.

What is nondisjunction and in which process is it more likely?

Nondisjunction is the failure of chromosomes to separate properly; it is more common in meiosis.