Let’s go step by step to fill in the table comparing Mitosis and Meiosis.
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1. Number of cells made
- In
Mitosis, one parent cell divides once to make
2 daughter cells.
- In
Meiosis, one parent cell goes through two divisions to make
4 daughter cells.
✔ So:
Mitosis → 2
Meiosis → 4
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2. Rounds of cell division
-
Mitosis has
1 round of division (just splits once).
-
Meiosis has
2 rounds (called Meiosis I and Meiosis II).
✔ So:
Mitosis → 1
Meiosis → 2
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3. # of chromosomes in daughter cells
This depends on what we start with — but usually, we assume the parent cell is diploid (has full set of chromosomes, like human body cells have 46).
- In
Mitosis, daughter cells are identical to parent → same number of chromosomes.
Example: If parent has 46, each daughter has 46.
- In
Meiosis, daughter cells get half the chromosomes → haploid.
Example: If parent has 46, each daughter has 23.
✔ So:
Mitosis → Same as parent (diploid)
Meiosis → Half as many as parent (haploid)
*(We can write “same” or “full set” for mitosis, and “half” or “reduced” for meiosis — since exact numbers aren’t given in diagram)*
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4. Purpose
-
Mitosis: Used for growth, repair, and replacing old/damaged cells. Makes exact copies.
-
Meiosis: Used to make sex cells (sperm and egg) for reproduction. Reduces chromosome number so baby gets right amount when sperm + egg combine.
✔ So:
Mitosis → Growth and repair
Meiosis → Make gametes (sex cells) for reproduction
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5. Type of cells that undergo cell division
-
Mitosis happens in
body cells (also called somatic cells) — like skin, muscle, blood cells.
-
Meiosis only happens in
sex organs to make
gametes (sperm in males, eggs in females).
✔ So:
Mitosis → Body cells (somatic cells)
Meiosis → Sex cells / Gamete-producing cells
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Now let’s put it all together neatly.
Final Answer:
| | Mitosis | Meiosis |
|--------------------------|-----------------------|-------------------------|
| Number of cells made | 2 | 4 |
| Rounds of cell division | 1 | 2 |
| # of chromosomes in daughter cells | Same as parent (diploid) | Half of parent (haploid) |
| Purpose | Growth and repair | Make gametes for reproduction |
| Type of cells that undergo cell division | Body cells (somatic cells) | Cells in sex organs (to make sperm/egg) |
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of mitosis and meiosis worksheet.
