Mitosis/Meiosis “Cheat” Sheet
Mitosis
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For repair of damaged cells and growth of the
organism
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Mitosis occurs most in the cells in organs (such
as the skin, stomach) that get the most wear

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Produces 2 genetically identical cells
The cells have 2 full sets of chromosomes
 One set came from each parent – this is the
number of chromosomes in all somatic cells
(body cells)
 Therefore the cells are diploid
The cell goes through 1 cycle of the 5 phases of
mitosis
 Prophase – where DNA is uncoiled
 Metaphase – where the chromosomes line up
in the center of the cell
 Anaphase- where the chromosomes start to
separate
 Telophase – where the two cells begin to
separate
 Cytokinesis - where the two cells complete
their separation and begin to grow
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During S phase of the cell cycle (but not a part
of mitosis) the DNA is replicated
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During interphase (also, not part of mitosis)
the cell is performing its function for the
organs –
 Cells spend most of their time in
interphase
Meiosis

For production of gametes, the sex cells, sperm
and egg

Meiosis produces 4 cells that are genetically
different

Each gamete has only 1 set of chromosomes
 During fertilization, the egg and sperm
join and create a zygote that has the full
2 sets of chromosomes
 The gametes are haploid

The cell goes through 2 cycles of the 5 phases
of mitosis
 In Prophase I small pieces of DNA may cross
over from one chromosome to the other –
this is called crossing-over
 During crossing-over, there is increased
genetic recombination
 Throughout the first cycle (Metaphase I –
Cytokinesis I) the duplicated chromosomes
remain connected.
 Prohpase II through Cytokinesis II are very
similar to these phases of mitosis, except
there is no duplication of the DNA – only
cell division
MITOSIS
MEIOSIS