Cell Division: Mitosis and Meiosis

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to mitosis and meiosis, essential for understanding cell division.

Mitosis

A type of cell division that results in two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parental cell.

Diploid cells

Cells that contain 23 pairs of chromosomes, one maternal and one paternal.

Prophase

The first stage of mitosis where chromatin condenses into chromosomes, and the nuclear envelope dissolves.

Metaphase

The stage of mitosis where chromosomes align in the center of the cell.

Anaphase

The stage in mitosis when each chromosome splits into two sister chromatids that migrate to opposite ends of the cell.

Telophase

The final stage of mitosis where nuclear envelopes reform around the chromosomes as the cell divides.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that produces gametes (eggs and sperm) with half the number of chromosomes.

Haploid cells

Cells that contain 23 unpaired chromosomes.

Prophase one

The first stage of meiosis one where chromosomes condense and crossing over occurs.

Crossing over

A process during prophase one of meiosis where chromatids exchange corresponding sections of DNA.

Independent assortment

The random alignment of homologous chromosome pairs during metaphase one of meiosis.

Zygote

A fertilized cell that has 46 chromosomes, formed from the union of male and female gametes.

Genetic variability

The uniqueness in genetic makeup produced during meiosis through crossing over and independent assortment.