Mitosis Meiosis free essay sample

In science class this week, weve been learning about cell reproduction. What is Cell division? What is Mitosis? What is Meiosis? How are they alike? How do they differ? All of these amazing questions will be answered, if you decide to read on. The Cell Cycle A life cycle begins with an organism’s formation, followed by its growth and development, and the production of offspring that will repeat the cycle, before ending in death. Right now, I am in a stage in the life cycle called adolescence, which is a period of active growth and development. Similar to the life cycle, cells undergo a cycle too. It’s called the cell cycle. The cell cycle is a series of events that take place from one cell division to another. A human life cycle and a cell cycle have many things in common. The main thing they have in common is that they’re both cycles. We will write a custom essay sample on Mitosis Meiosis or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page They both help in the areas of reproduction and growth. Although they have things in common, they also differ. One thing they have different is that at the end of a life cycle, the organism dies however; the cell cycle continues to reproduce. In the cell cycle, cells can reproduce asexually and sexually, but in the human cycle, humans reproduce sexually. This is how the cell cycle and the human cycle compare and contrast. Cell Division What is cell division? Well, cell division is the term that describes cell reproduction. Cell division is also the process in which cells reproduce. In cell division, there are two ways cells divide: mitosis with body cells and meiosis with sex cells. Mitosis is the process in which the nucleus divides to form 2 identical nuclei. Each new nucleus is also identical to the original nucleus. Mitosis is asexual reproduction. Asexual reproduction is the process in which one parent cell produces two daughter cells that are genetically identical to each other and the parent. How do body cells divide? Well, body cells divide to multiply in the cell cycle. There are three steps to the cell cycle. The first step is interphase. Most of the cell cycle is spent in the period of growth and development called interphase. During Interphase, there are three (3) phases: G1 phase, S phase, and G2 phase. During G1, the cell grows bigger and the organelles duplicate. In the S phase, the chromosomes duplicate. In the G2 phase, the cell continues to grow and prepares for mitosis. During Interphase, the nucleolus is clearly visible in the nucleus. The next step in the cell cycle is Mitosis. Mitosis involves four (4) phases: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase. During Prophase, the chromosomes or chromatid pairs are now visible and spindle fibers are beginning to form. The next phase in Mitosis is Metaphase. In Metaphase, the chromatid pairs are lined up in the center of the cell. After this Metaphase is Anaphase. In Anaphase, the chromosomes are separated. Finally in Mitosis, Telophase begins. In Telophase, two (2) new nuclei are formed. This is the end of Mitosis. Some important things about Mitosis is that in involves one division of the nucleus and it’s the production of two (2) new nuclei that are genetically identical to each other and the original nucleus. Each new nucleus has the same number and type of chromosomes. In simpler terms, the parent cell becomes two (2) identical daughter cells. The next step after Mitosis is Cytokinesis. During cytokinesis, the cytoplasm is beginning to separate as the cell divides into two (2) new genetically identical daughter cells. Then, the cells enter interphase and cell division begins again. After you read this section, you probably wondered, â€Å"Why is Mitosis important? † Well, Mitosis is important because it preserves genetic characteristics from generation to generation. What Is Meiosis? Meiosis is the process in which one parent cell produces four (4) genetically different daughter cells. Meiosis is sexual reproduction. There are two major steps in Meiosis. These steps are Meiosis I and Meiosis II. In Meiosis I, there are four (4) phases: Prophase I, Metaphase I, Anaphase I and Telophase I. In Meiosis II, there are also four (4) phases: Prophase II, Metaphase II, Anaphase II, and Telophase II. Now, you might ask, â€Å"Why is Meiosis important? † Well, the main purpose of Meiosis is that it allows diversity. This is Meiosis. Mitosis vs. Meiosis There are many differences between Mitosis and Meiosis. The main difference in Mitosis and Meiosis is that Mitosis is asexual reproduction, but Meiosis is sexual reproduction. Another primary difference between the two is that Mitosis creates body cells from existing body cells; however, Meiosis creates sex cells from body cells. Meiosis involves two (2) divisions of the nucleus, but Mitosis involves one (1) division of the nucleus. Mitosis creates two (2) daughter cells that are genetically identical, but Meiosis creates four (4) daughter cells that are genetically different. One thing similar is that they each have 4 phases which are Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, and Telophase. All in all, Mitosis and Meiosis are very complicated processes in which your germ cells and other cells undergo, but it’s good that you know how you reproduce.