Mitosis and Meiosis

Cell Division
Why Do Cells Divide?

For growth, repair, and

reproduction
 Mitosis
• Organisms grow by the
addition of cells
• In multicellular organism some
of these cells perform
functions different from other
cells.
• The process of a cell
becoming different is
differentiation.
• Under normal conditions
once an animal cell becomes
specialized it can no longer
form an entire organism,
however plant cells are
totipotent and any cell can
form an entire plant.
 When do cells divide?
• Most limiting factor in size is
the size of the cell
membrane.
–Cells must obtain nutrients
–as volume increases, cell
surface area does not
increase as greatly
–larger cells require a larger
 Cell Division vs. Nuclear
Division
• Cytokinesis: The actual division of the cell
into two new cells.

• Mitosis: The division of the nucleus of the

cell into two new nuclei.

• Note: Sometimes cells go through mitosis

without going through cytokinesis. Describe
a cell that did this.
 Terminology

• Chromatin - thin fibrous form

of DNA and proteins
• Sister chromatids- identical
structures that result from
chromosome replication,
formed during S phase
Gamete Formation
Mitosis vs.
Meiosis
Mitosis Meiosis
Meiosis
 Based on the diagram,

The difference between mitosis and meiosis is

that mitosis produces two identical daughter
cells and meiosis produces four genetically
different daughter cells
Mitosis Parent cell
Meiosis
Diploid (2n)

Parent cell
Diploid (2n)
1st division 1st division
Diploid (2n) Diploid (2n)

2nd division 2nd division

Daughter cell Daughter cell
Haploid (n) Haploid (n)

Daughter cell Daughter cell

Diploid (2n) Diploid (2n)
2nd division 2nd division
Daughter cell Daughter cell
Haploid (n)
Haploid (n)
 The numbers
• The cells created from mitosis are diploid or 2n.

• The cells created from meiosis are haploid or n

Definitions:

• Diploid (2n) – two of each type of chromosome

(in homologous pair – carry the same trait)

• Haploid (n) – one of each type of chromosome

 Let’s try it…

• Human cells have 46 chromosomes.

• Therefore, the diploid number (2n) of

chromosomes in humans is 46.

• The haploid number (n) of chromosomes in

humans is 23.
 The reason why:
mitosis

• To replace other cells that have been

damaged or worn out

• To allow multicellular organisms to grow

• For asexual reproduction

• Because they get too big!

 The reason why:
meiosis

• Meiosis results in four cells with half the

number of chromosomes so that when the
sex cells (sperm and egg) combine, the
original or normal number of chromosomes
will be restored
 One last thing… [the]
where?

• Mitosis occurs in normal body cells (i.e.

skin cells), and meiosis occurs in sex cells
(i.e. sperm and egg) only.
The verdict
• Lets see mitosis and meiosis in action!