Question

What are cell division and types?

Answer 1

Cell division:

1. A parent cell splits through the process of cell division.
2. Cell division is an essential function in all living things.
3. There are two types of cell division, i) mitosis and ii) meiosis.

i) Mitosis:

1. Mitosis is a process that occurs in all cells in the body except reproductive cells.
2. The number of chromosomes in the daughter cells remains the same (i.e., diploid 2n); hence it is called equational division.
3. Mitosis results in the formation of two daughter cells.
4. Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase are the four stages of mitosis.

ii) Meiosis:

1. Meiosis is a process that occurs in the cells of reproductive organs.
2. The process of meiosis produces four daughter cells.
3. As a result of meiosis, the chromosome number is reduced to half in the daughter cells.
4. Meiosis produces gametes (sperm and ova).
5. Meiosis is a two-step process that involves two nuclear divisions: meiosis I and meiosis II.