Table of contents

1. Introduction to Genetics51m
2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
8. DNA Replication1h 10m
9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
10. Transcription1h 0m
11. Translation58m
12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
14. Genetic Control of Development44m
15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
16. Transposable Elements47m
17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- Genetic Cloning
  9m
- Methods for Analyzing DNA
  9m
19. Cancer Genetics29m
- Overview of Cancer
  21m
- Cancer Mutations
  7m
20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
21. Population Genetics50m
- Hardy Weinberg
  19m
- Allelic Frequency Changes
  31m
22. Evolutionary Genetics29m

9. Mitosis and Meiosis

Meiosis

Genetics

9. Mitosis and Meiosis

Meiosis

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1:48 minutes

Problem 14

Textbook Question

Explain why meiosis leads to significant genetic variation while mitosis does not.

Verified step by step guidance

Mitosis and meiosis are both processes of cell division, but they serve different purposes and result in different outcomes.

Mitosis results in two genetically identical daughter cells, maintaining the same chromosome number as the parent cell. This process is primarily for growth and repair.

Meiosis, on the other hand, is a specialized form of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, producing four genetically diverse gametes (sperm or eggs).

Genetic variation in meiosis is introduced through two main mechanisms: crossing over and independent assortment.

Crossing over occurs during prophase I of meiosis, where homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material, while independent assortment refers to the random distribution of maternal and paternal chromosomes into gametes during metaphase I.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Meiosis

Meiosis is a specialized form of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in four genetically diverse gametes. It involves two rounds of division (meiosis I and II) and includes processes such as crossing over and independent assortment, which shuffle genetic material. This genetic recombination is crucial for sexual reproduction and contributes to the genetic diversity of offspring.

Mitosis

Mitosis is the process of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells, maintaining the same chromosome number as the parent cell. It involves a single round of division and is primarily used for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction. Since mitosis does not involve recombination or reduction of chromosome number, it does not contribute to genetic variation.

Genetic Variation

Genetic variation refers to the differences in DNA sequences among individuals within a population. It is essential for evolution and adaptation, as it provides the raw material for natural selection. In meiosis, mechanisms like crossing over and independent assortment create new combinations of alleles, leading to increased genetic diversity, whereas mitosis produces clones with no variation.