Outline the processes of mitosis and meiosis and when each type of cell division might occur.

Students can often be confused about the
differences between mitosis and meiosis.Perhaps it is because the names are so similar or
because the processes share the same phase names as the process occurs.

The
end product of mitosis is to produce diploid cells that have the full genetic complement.For
example, humans have 46 chromosomes.Mitosis will produce cells that each have 46
chromosomes.This kind of cellular division is the much more common type of cellular division,
and it occurs when the body needs to make more of a specific cell type.If you get a cut, your
body will use mitosis to make more skin cells.

Meiosis, on the other hand, is
a form of reduction division.This is because the finished product has fewer chromosomes than a
regular body cell.Meiosis will produce sex cells called gametes.This occurs
because meiosis will go through an additional cell division and four gametes are produced that
each have 23 chromosomes (if we are talking about humans).This reduction division is necessary
in order for sexual reproduction to be successful.The two haploid gametes will come together
during fertilization and that will produce a diploid zygote that will then begin undergoing
mitosis in order to produce the trillions of cells present in humans.