Mitosis.......vs.......Meiosis........still confused

[Toothguy80]

The only thing I know about these 2 are that Meiosis is reduction and mitosis stays the same.

But in Top Score, it says that:

All of the following are characteristics of mitosis, except:
a) Mitosis occurs in all eukaryotic cells
b) During prophase, chromosomes condense
c) Homologous chromosomes pair up at the metaphase plate
d) There is no cross over of chromosomes
e) The number of chromosomes remains the same after cell division

I know the answer is c, but can someone explain the differences between meiosis and mitosis in child-terms please?

thanks

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[Hysteria24]

I'm not an expert, but I'll give it a shot.

In metaphase 1 of meiosis, homologous chromosomes pair up together. Think of it like two columns of X's each standing next to their partner. In anaphase 1 of meiosis, the pairs are separated. With one X going to one cell and one X going to another. Each cells end up with different end material (one of the X's was originally there from the father, and one from the mother)

In metaphase of mitosis, the chromosomes form one single line. In anaphase, one piece of the X (an identical sister chromatid) is pulled to each side. Therefore each of the two cells will have the exact same genetic material (half of all the chromosomes that were from the dad, and half that were from the mom)

So in mitosis, the chromosomes don't ever pair up. Each are split in half, no matter who their neighbors are.

 

[Toothguy80]

thanks
that was helpful

 

[Mstoothlady2012]

http://sps.k12.ar.us/massengale/biology class notes2.htm

This is an awesome site! i learned basic stuff from this site. It has all the information in simple language. I hope this helps