Question

1. Name five differences between mitosis and meiosis.

2. During meiosis, which two processes occur that can increase genetic variation in the gametes?

A.      independent assortment and crossing over

B.    crossing over and cytokinesis

C.    separation of the sister chromatids in Anaphase I and cytokinesis

D.    independent assortment and cytokinesis

E.    cytokinesis and sexual reproduction

Answer 1

answer 1. difference between mitosis and meiosis:-

1. the first major difference between them is that MEIOSIS is a type of cell division that results in the formation of 4 daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. Whereas, MITOSIS is the type of cell division that results in the formation of 2 daughter cells each with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

2. MITOTIC division takes place in somatic cells and as a result of this division, growth occurs. Whereas, in MEIOSIS takes place usually in reproductive cells and as a result of this character one generation pass into the other.

3. prophase of MITOSIS is smaller while that MEIOSIS is longer and divided into five sub stages.

4. MITOSIS do not involve any crossing over whereas in MEIOSIS crossing over takes place in which exchange of segments of chromatid occurs.

5. in MITOSIS at metaphase, centromere is towards equatorial plate and ends of chromosomes towards poles. centromere divides. whereas in MEIOSIS at metaphase 1 ,the centromere is towards poles and ends of chromosomes towards equatorial plate. centromere does not divide.

answer 2. answer is option A. (independent assortment and crossing over).

this is because, during prophase of meiosis I ,the double chromatid homologous pair of chromosomes cross over with each other and exchange chromosome segments. this is crossing over which leads to genetic variation.

and also during meiosis II , the sister chromatids separate and are randomly distributed to the daughter cells, the gametes. that is, they are independently assorted so that each gamete has a potentially unique combination of genetic material, leading to genetic variation.