Romero, Sarah Jane B.

STEM 113

Cell Division: MITOSIS vs. MEIOSIS

COMPARISON
● Both are types of cell division.
● Each goes through similar stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
● Both play crucial roles in life, with mitosis supporting growth and repair, and meiosis enabling sexual
reproduction.

CONTRAST
● Purpose
Mitosis: Primarily involved in growth, repair, and asexual reproduction. It produces cells that are genetically
identical to the parent cell.
Meiosis: Involved in sexual reproduction, leading to the production of gametes (sperm and egg cells). It reduces the
chromosome number by half, resulting in genetic diversity.

● Location in the Body (Cell Type)

Mitosis: Occurs in somatic (body) cells, like skin and muscle cells. (Somatic Cells)
Meiosis: Occurs only in reproductive organs (testes in males and ovaries in females). (Germ Cells: Testes, Ovaries)

● Number of Divisions
Mitosis: Involves one(1) division, resulting in two daughter cells.
Meiosis: Involves two(2) divisions (Meiosis I and Meiosis II), resulting in four daughter cells.

● Resulting Cells
Mitosis: Produces two diploid (2n) daughter cells, identical to the parent cell.
Meiosis: Produces four haploid (n) daughter cells, each with half the chromosome number of the parent cell and
genetically distinct.

● Genetic Variation
Mitosis: No genetic variation, as daughter cells are identical clones of the parent cell.
Meiosis: Increases genetic diversity through crossing over (exchange of genetic material between homologous
chromosomes) and independent assortment (random separation of chromosomes).

● Phases
Both mitosis and meiosis involve similar stages (prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase), but:
Mitosis: Proceeds through these stages once.
Meiosis: Has two rounds, Meiosis I (separates homologous chromosomes) and Meiosis II (separates sister
chromatids).

● Errors
Mitosis: Errors can lead to cancer if cells proliferate uncontrollably.
Meiosis: Errors can lead to chromosomal abnormalities (e.g., Down syndrome due to nondisjunction, where
chromosomes fail to separate properly).

MITOSIS STAGES
Mitosis has one round of division and includes the following stages:

1. Prophase:
Chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, each made of two sister chromatids.
The nuclear membrane dissolves.
Spindle fibers begin to form, attaching to the centromeres of chromosomes.

2. Metaphase:
Chromosomes align along the metaphase plate (center of the cell).
Spindle fibers are fully attached to each chromatid, preparing for separation.

3. Anaphase:
Sister chromatids separate and are pulled to opposite poles of the cell.
Each chromatid now becomes an individual chromosome.

4. Telophase:
Chromosomes reach the cell poles and begin to de-condense back into chromatin.
A new nuclear membrane forms around each set of chromosomes.
The cell begins to split, leading to cytokinesis (division of the cytoplasm).

5. Cytokinesis:
The cell divides completely, resulting in two identical diploid daughter cells.

MEIOSIS STAGES
Meiosis involves two rounds of division, Meiosis I and Meiosis II, each with similar stages but different outcomes.

Meiosis I (Reduction Division)

1. Prophase I:
Chromatin condenses into chromosomes.
Homologous chromosomes pair up in a process called synapsis, forming tetrads.
Crossing over occurs, where homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material, increasing genetic diversity.
The nuclear membrane dissolves, and spindle fibers form.

2. Metaphase I:
Tetrads (paired homologous chromosomes) align along the metaphase plate.
Spindle fibers attach to each homologous chromosome.

3. Anaphase I:
Homologous chromosomes separate and move to opposite poles (sister chromatids remain attached).
This reduces the chromosome number by half (from diploid to haploid).

4. Telophase I:
Chromosomes reach the poles, and the nuclear membrane reforms briefly.
Cytokinesis occurs, resulting in two haploid cells, each with half the original chromosome number.

Meiosis II (Equational Division)

Meiosis II is similar to mitosis, dividing sister chromatids.

1. Prophase II:
Chromosomes condense again (if de-condensed after Meiosis I).
Spindle fibers form, and the nuclear membrane dissolves.

2. Metaphase II:
Chromosomes align at the metaphase plate in each cell.
Spindle fibers attach to sister chromatids.

3. Anaphase II:
Sister chromatids separate and are pulled to opposite poles.
Each chromatid is now an individual chromosome.

4. Telophase II:
Chromosomes reach the poles and begin to de-condense.
Nuclear membranes reform around each set of chromosomes.
Cytokinesis occurs, resulting in four unique haploid daughter cells.

NOTES in Stages Between Mitosis and Meiosis

Prophase: Meiosis I includes synapsis and crossing over, which do not occur in mitosis.

Metaphase: In Metaphase I of meiosis, homologous chromosomes (not individual chromosomes) align on the
metaphase plate.

Anaphase: Anaphase I in meiosis separates homologous chromosomes, while mitosis and Meiosis II separate sister
chromatids.

A CENTRIOLE is a cylindrical, tube-like structure composed of microtubules, found in pairs near the nucleus in
animal cells. Centrioles play a crucial role in cell division by helping to organize the spindle fibers that separate
chromosomes during mitosis and meiosis. Each pair of centrioles together forms a structure called the centrosome.

An ASTER is a star-shaped arrangement of microtubules that forms around each pair of centrioles during the early
stages of cell division in animal cells. The aster helps anchor the centrioles at opposite poles of the cell and aids in
the organization of spindle fibers as they extend from the centrosome to the chromosomes.

SPINDLE FIBERS are structures made of microtubules that form during cell division. They extend from the
centrioles (or centrosomes) toward the chromosomes, attaching to them at a region called the centromere. The
spindle fibers are responsible for pulling the chromosomes apart and ensuring each daughter cell receives the correct
number of chromosomes.

INVAGINATION is the process where a part of a cell membrane folds inward to form a pocket or indentation. This
term is often used in biology to describe the initial folding in processes such as endocytosis (where the cell
membrane engulfs materials from the outside) or during the formation of structures in embryonic development.

CLASSIFICATION OF CHROMOSOME BASED ON CENTROMERE LOCATION

a. Metacentric Chromosome
The centromere is located in the middle of the chromosome, making the two arms (p and q arms) of the chromosome
almost equal in length.

b. Sub-Metacentric Chromosome
The centromere is slightly off-center, creating one shorter arm (p arm) and one longer arm (q arm).

c. Acrocentric Chromosome
The centromere is located near one end of the chromosome, resulting in a very short p arm and a much longer q arm.

d. Telocentric Chromosome
The centromere is located at the very end of the chromosome, so there is essentially no p arm (only a single q arm)
Significance of Mitosis

Growth: Increases cell numbers for organism growth.

Repair: Replaces damaged or dead cells.

Asexual Reproduction: Creates identical offspring in some organisms.

Genetic Stability: Maintains genetic consistency in cells.

Significance of Meiosis

Gamete Formation: Produces haploid sperm and egg cells.

Genetic Diversity: Introduces variation through crossing over and independent assortment.

Chromosome Number Maintenance: Keeps species’ chromosome numbers stable across generations.

Adaptation: Enhances evolution and adaptability.