Mitosis and Meiosis Comparison and Chromosome Biology

Vocabulary flashcards covering the comparison between mitosis and meiosis, chromosome number, ploidy, karyotypes, and meiosis-specific events.

Mitosis

A process of cell division that produces identical somatic cells for growth and repair, dividing once so that all daughter cells are genetically identical.

Meiosis

A process consisting of two divisions (Meiosis I and Meiosis II) that separates homologous sets of chromosomes, reducing the total chromosome number by half to create unique gametes for sexual reproduction.

Somatic cells

Diploid body cells—such as skin, liver, and muscle cells—that contain both sets of homologous chromosomes and divide for growth and repair.

Gametes

Haploid sex cells (egg or sperm) that contain only one set of homologous chromosomes and are produced for sexual reproduction.

Homologous chromosomes

Paired chromosomes that contain the same types of DNA (such as eye color, height, and hair texture), with one set inherited from the mother and one set from the father.

Human chromosome number

The total number of chromosomes in a human somatic cell, which is $46$ chromosomes ($23$ inherited from Mom and $23$ inherited from Dad).

Diploid

A cell condition that contains both sets of homologous chromosomes (double), represented in somatic cells such as skin, liver, and muscle.

Haploid

A cell condition that contains only one set of homologous chromosomes (half), found in sex cells (gametes) such as egg or sperm.

Karyotype

A visual display showing the $23$ pairs of human chromosomes lined up in their homologous pairs.

Sex chromosomes (XX vs. XY)

The pair of chromosomes that determines sex, where an XX pairing indicates a girl and an XY pairing indicates a boy.

Prophase I

The stage of meiosis during which homologous chromosomes pair up and undergo crossing over.

Crossing over

An event occurring during Prophase I of meiosis where homologous chromosome pairs exchange sections of DNA.