Mitosis vs Meiosis

• Chromosome


  A structure in the cell nucleus that contains the genetic material
• Chromatid


  One of the two identical copies of a chromosome after DNA replication
• Chromatin


  The complex of DNA and proteins that makes up the contents of the cell nucleus
• Transcription


  The process of copying genetic information from DNA to RNA
• Translation


  The process of synthesizing proteins from the information encoded in mRNA
• Mitosis


  The process of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells
• Meiosis


  The process of cell division that results in four genetically distinct daughter cells
• Mitosis and meiosis are both involved in making new cells
• Diploid


  Having two complete sets of chromosomes
• Interphase


  Cell duplicates chromosomes
• Humans have 46 chromosomes total
• It's hard to draw 46 chromosomes, so 6 chromosomes will be used in the diagrams
• PMAT


  Acronym for the stages of mitosis and meiosis: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase
• Prophase in mitosis


  Chromosomes condense and become visible
• Prophase I in meiosis


  Homologous chromosomes pair up and undergo crossing over
• Metaphase in mitosis


  Chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell in a single file
• Metaphase I in meiosis

  Chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell in pairs
• Anaphase in mitosis


  Chromatids are pulled to opposite sides of the cell
• Anaphase I in meiosis


  Chromosomes are pulled to opposite sides of the cell
• Telophase in mitosis and Telophase I in meiosis

  New nuclei form on opposite sides of the cell
• Cytokinesis


  Splits the cytoplasm to complete cell division
• Mitosis results in two identical diploid cells
• Meiosis results in four non-identical haploid cells (gametes)
• Prophase II in meiosis

  Chromosomes condense again
• Metaphase II in meiosis

  Chromosomes line up in a single file
• Anaphase II in meiosis


  Chromatids are pulled to opposite sides
• Telophase II in meiosis

  New nuclei form on opposite sides
• Meiosis results in four haploid cells (gametes)
• When a sperm and egg cell combine, it results in a diploid zygote
• The main difference between mitosis and meiosis is that mitosis produces two genetically identical daughter cells, while meiosis produces four genetically different gamete cells.
• Meiotic cell division is the process by which sex cells (gametes) are produced from diploid parent cells, resulting in four haploid gamete cells.