Answer to Question #214540 in Genetics for Moe

Question

2.5) Draw a diploid cell with 8 chromosomes (2n = 8) and a haploid cell with 5 chromosomes (n = 5). What will happen at the end of a single mitotic division, at the end of meiosis I and at the end of meiosis II?

Answer 1

Mitosis occurs in the usual cells of the body (autosomes). Meiosis only occurs in the germ cells which give rise to the sex cells or gametes. Diploid refers to the total chromosome number found in a normal cell of an organism. For instance, the diploid number in humans is 46. Haploid is half the number so in humans it is 23.