Answer to Question #170380 in Cell Biology for EmmaPrince

Question

• Briefly summarize the processes of mitosis and meiosis indicating where the similarities lie and in which aspects they differ. Don't forget to mention the primary reason for each type of cell division by indicating the roles that mitosis and meiosis play in human reproduction and development.
•  Explain what is meant by the term ‘linked genes’ with respect to homologous recombination. For example, if an organism is heterozygous at two genetic loci on the same chromosome, in what way does the position of these alleles with respect to each other affect how they are transmitted to gametes during meiosis?

Answer 1

Mitosis is the process of cell division in which a single cell divides into identical daughter cells. The primary reason for mitosis is asexual reproduction, growth, and tissue repair. Meiosis is a special type of cell division in a sexually reproducing organism where a single cell divides twice to produce four cells containing half the original amount of genetic information. The primary reason for meiosis is, it allows asexual reproduction of diplomatic organisms, enables gene diversity, and aids repair of gene defects. Both processes begin with diploid parent cells and end with cytokinesis. They both have interphase, prophase, anaphase, and telophase stages.

 Mitosis involves one cell division while meiosis involves two cell divisions. Mitosis results in two daughter cells while meiosis results in four daughter cells. Mitosis results in diploid daughter cells while meiosis results in haploid daughter cells. The interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase stages occur once in mitosis while in meiosis they occur twice.

Linked genes are genes that are inherited together.

The alleles for the genes will segregate together during meiosis