Learning Task 1

Compare and contrast mitosis and meiosis by filling up the table below. Answer this on a separate sheet
of paper.

COMPARISON MITOSIS MEIOSIS

Purpose for growth and to replace worn out to produce gametes, the sperm and
cells eggs, with half of the genetic
complement of the parent cells.
Number of parent TWO FOUR
cell
Number of ONE TWO
Divisions
Number of cells TWO FOUR
produce
Chromosomes set Mitosis occurs in somatic cells; this The process of meiosis involves two
(=n) means that it takes place in all types divisions of the genetic material. The
of cells that are not involved in the first division is called the reduction
production of gametes. Prior to division – or meiosis I – because it
each mitotic division, a copy of reduces the number
every chromosome is created; thus, of chromosomes from
following division, a 46 chromosomes or 2n to
complete set of chromosomes is 23 chromosomes or n (n describes a
found in the nucleus of each new cell. single chromosome set).
Types of cells that Both haploid and Germ cells, or gametes, undergo
undergo cell diploid cells can undergo mitosis. meiosis, while
division When a haploid cell undergoes somatic cells will undergo mitosis.
mitosis, it produces two genetically
identical haploid daughter cells; when
a diploid cell undergoes mitosis, it
produces two genetically identical
diploid daughter cells.