Mitosis and Meiosis

Front

What are gametes?

Back

Gametes are reproductive cells (sperm and egg) that are involved in sexual reproduction, containing half the number of chromosomes of somatic cells.

Front

What is the difference between sexual and asexual reproduction?

Back

Sexual reproduction requires two parents and produces genetically diverse offspring, while asexual reproduction requires only one parent and produces genetically identical offspring.

Front

What percentage of chromosomes does a sperm cell contribute to the offspring?

Back

A sperm cell contributes 50% of the chromosomes to the offspring.

Front

If a somatic cell in a butterfly has 24 chromosomes, how many chromosomes does a butterfly egg have?

Back

A butterfly egg has 12 chromosomes, which is half the number of chromosomes in somatic cells.

Front

How many chromosomes does a human zygote have?

Back

A human zygote has 46 chromosomes, which is the total number of chromosomes from both parents.

Front

What is mitosis?

Back

Mitosis is the process of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells, maintaining the same chromosome number as the parent cell.

Front

What is meiosis?

Back

Meiosis is a specialized type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, producing four genetically diverse gametes.

Front

What is the role of meiosis in sexual reproduction?

Back

Meiosis produces gametes (sperm and egg) that combine during fertilization to form a zygote, ensuring genetic diversity.

Front

Define somatic cells.

Back

Somatic cells are any cells in the body that are not gametes; they contain the full set of chromosomes.

Front

What is the significance of crossing over during meiosis?

Back

Crossing over is the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during meiosis, increasing genetic variation in offspring.