Mitosis vs Meiosis

Formative
Assessment

A quick way to discover what

your students already Know (Or
Don’t) About The difference
between Mitosis & Meiosis
Life in Prism
 Mitosis vs. Meiosis

Some friends are talking before biology class. They see the words mitosis and meiosis written on the
board. They begin to discuss what they think these words mean.

Student One: “I think mitosis and meiosis are the same process but one occurs in
plant cells and the other occurs in animal cells.”

Student Two: “Mitosis is normal cell division. Meiosis is abnormal cell division
associated with a disease.”

Student Three: “Mitosis is cell division to make new cells. Meiosis is cell division that
creates reproductive cells.”

Student Four: “Mitosis is when cells divide. Meiosis is when they join together during
fertilization.”

What are your ideas on mitosis and meiosis? Do you agree with any of the students above or do you
have your own ideas?
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Teacher’s Notes
Student three has the best answer.
Mitosis is when the DNA in a cell is duplicated and the cell divides into two new identical daughter cells. It
is essential to growth and healing.
Meiosis is the cellular division process in which gametes are formed. Gametes are sex cells with half the
number of chromosomes as a somatic cell. In animals, the end result are sperm and egg cells.

This formative assessment is best given right at the start of a unit on mitosis and/or meiosis. Depending
on your course outline, mitosis and meiosis may be taught in different grades, courses, or units. This
offers an opportunity to review what students may have already learned. If students have never been
exposed to these terms, this assessment is a good way to root out what misconceptions they may have
about the processes.
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