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The Purpose of Mitosis vs. The Purpose of Meiosis. The Purpose of Mitosis. Mitosis is an asexual reproductive process that involves one division It produces two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell. Reproduction – single celled organisms Growth and Maintenance
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The Purpose of Mitosis • Mitosis is an asexual reproductive process that involves one division • It produces two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell
Reproduction – single celled organisms • Growth and Maintenance • Growth of an organism – increase in # of cells • Replace damaged or worn out cells • heal wounds, mend broken bones • replace cells having short life spans (skin, blood, lining of intestine)
Body cells (somatic cells) that undergo mitosis to reproduce contain a diploid number of chromosomes • Diploid (2n):two complete sets of chromosomes
Purpose of Meiosis • Meiosis is a form of cell division that leads to the production of gametes - Gametesare produced by special cells called germ line cells • Germ line cells are diploid (2n) • Gametes are haploid cells formed by two successive divisions that produce four daughter cells
haploid (n): containing only 1 set of chromosomes • gametes: egg cells and sperm cells that contain half the number of chromosomes of an adult body cell • Gametes are AKA sex cells or germ cells
Meiosis allows for a sexual reproductive process to occur • Sexual reproduction includes the fusion of haploid gametes (fertilization) to produce a diploid zygote that is genetically different from the parents
Life cycles of sexually reproducing organisms involve the alternation of haploid and diploid stages • Some life cycles include longer diploid phases, some include longer haploid phases