Question

The part of meiosis that is similar to mitosis is ________ . a. meiosis I b. anaphase I c. meiosis II d. interkinesis

Short answer

Answer: c. Meiosis II

Step-by-step solution

Understand mitosis and meiosis

Before you can determine which stage of meiosis is similar to mitosis, you need to have a good grasp on each process's purpose. Mitosis is the process of cell division that produces two genetically identical daughter cells, while meiosis is the process of cell division producing four genetically distinct haploid gametes (sperm or egg cells).

Name the stages of mitosis

The stages of mitosis are: 1. Prophase 2. Metaphase 3. Anaphase 4. Telophase 5. Cytokinesis Keep in mind that the primary function of mitosis is to separate the replicated chromosomes into two new nuclei and then divide the cell.

Name the stages of meiosis

Meiosis is divided into two stages, meiosis I and meiosis II, each consisting of several phases. The stages of meiosis are: 1. Meiosis I: a. Prophase I b. Metaphase I c. Anaphase I d. Telophase I e. Cytokinesis 2. Meiosis II: a. Prophase II b. Metaphase II c. Anaphase II d. Telophase II e. Cytokinesis

Compare meiosis II to mitosis

Meiosis II is very similar to mitosis because it also involves the separation of sister chromatids, resulting in two genetically identical daughter cells. In both processes, each chromosome aligns at the cell equator during metaphase, and the sister chromatids are pulled apart during anaphase. Therefore, the part of meiosis that is similar to mitosis is meiosis II.

Choose the correct answer

Based on the comparison in step 4, the correct answer is: c. meiosis II

Key concepts

Meiosis II

In the fascinating process of cell division, Meiosis II is a phase that bears a striking similarity to mitosis. During Meiosis II, each of the two cells produced from Meiosis I undergoes division again, but this time, the sister chromatids are separated. This means that each chromosome, originally duplicated and paired with its homologous partner in Meiosis I, is now pulled apart into its component chromatids. As a result, Meiosis II serves to ensure that each of the four resulting gametes has a single set of chromosomes, ready to combine with another gamete during fertilization.

An essential aspect of Meiosis II is that it increases genetic diversity. Even though it looks like mitosis in function, the genetic content of the cells is vastly different due to the earlier crossing over and recombination events in Meiosis I. This results in unique genetic combinations essential for natural selection and evolution.

Ultimately, Meiosis II is crucial in sexually reproducing organisms, playing a key role in genetic variability.

Mitosis

Mitosis is the cornerstone of cell division and growth in multicellular organisms. This process involves the creation of two genetically identical daughter cells from a single parent cell. In mitosis, the primary goal is to replicate the parent cell exactly, ensuring all genetic material is preserved.

The stages of mitosis unfold in a precise sequence:

• Prophase: Chromosomes condense, becoming visible under a microscope, and the nuclear envelope starts to break down.
• Metaphase: Chromosomes align in the middle of the cell, ensuring each new cell will receive an identical set of chromosomes.
• Anaphase: Sister chromatids are pulled apart by the spindle fibers, migrating to opposite poles of the cell.
• Telophase: A nuclear envelope re-forms around each set of chromosomes, which begin to de-condense.
• Cytokinesis: The cell splits into two, marking the end of mitosis.

Through mitosis, organisms can grow, repair damaged tissues, and maintain tissue function by replacing old cells.

Chromatids

Chromatids are fundamental to understanding the mechanics of cell division. In essence, they are each half of a duplicated chromosome. When a cell prepares to divide, it replicates each chromosome, resulting in two identical chromatids joined together at a central region known as the centromere. These "sister chromatids" will eventually be segregated into daughter cells.

During meiosis and mitosis, the separation of chromatids is a critical step, as it ensures that each new cell receives an exact copy of the genetic material. This separation occurs during the anaphase stage in both meiosis and mitosis. Understanding chromatids helps in grasping how genetic information is passed accurately from one cell generation to the next, making them indispensable to the continuity of life.

In meiosis, chromatids contribute to genetic diversity, particularly through processes like crossing over during Meiosis I, leading to a mix of parental genes.

Genetically Identical Cells

The creation of genetically identical cells is a hallmark of mitosis and a feature that sets it apart from meiosis. In mitosis, each daughter cell is an exact clone of the parent cell, containing the same DNA sequence. This precise duplication is vital for growth, tissue repair, and asexual reproduction.

In processes like skin regeneration or organ cell turnover, producing genetically identical cells ensures that the function of tissues is maintained. This is crucial for the stability and health of an organism, as any variations in the genetic information could potentially lead to malfunction or disease.

• Mitotic division allows organisms to maintain homeostatic conditions effectively.
• It enables rapid cell turnover in areas with high demand, like the skin and gut lining.
• By producing genetically identical cells, organisms avoid the complications that could arise from unwanted genetic mutations.

Mitosis ensures that each new generation of cells supports the body's consistent functioning without introducing variation.