How does mitosis and meiosis work in very simple terms? Whats the difference between them?
In: 1
Mitosis is a direct copy, like a photocopier. One cell becomes two cells, genetically identical to each other.
Meiosis is more like a split. Take a box of toys and split it between two children; the resulting piles will be half the size and have different toys in them. The resulting cells are not quite complete, because they only have half the genetic material (toys) needed.
Mitosis happens in most cellular growth, because the resulting cells are complete and capable of living on their own. Meiosis happens in sexual reproduction, where you want two people/parents to contribute some genetic material to the child/offspring. One half-cell from each parent combine to form a single whole-cell, ideally with a unique combination of genetic material (put two piles of toys together to make a single, unique pile). This whole cell is then capable of living and reproducing (via mitosis) to become its own organism.
Latest Answers