mitosis meiosis worksheet - Free Printable

1. The purpose of mitosis is to produce two genetically identical daughter cells for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction.
2. The cell divides one time during mitosis.
3. Two diploid somatic (body) cells are produced at the end of mitosis.
4. Sister chromatids are identical copies of a chromosome, joined at the centromere, formed during DNA replication.
5. During prophase, chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and spindle fibers begin to form.
6. [Drawing on back: Chromosomes appear as distinct X-shaped structures; nuclear membrane dissolving; spindle fibers forming from centrosomes at poles.]
7. During metaphase, chromosomes line up single file along the metaphase plate (equator) of the cell, attached to spindle fibers from opposite poles.
8. [Drawing on back: Chromosomes aligned in a straight line at the center; spindle fibers attached to centromeres.]
9. During anaphase, sister chromatids separate and are pulled toward opposite poles of the cell by shortening spindle fibers.
10. [Drawing on back: Sister chromatids (now individual chromosomes) moving apart toward opposite poles.]
11. During telophase, chromosomes arrive at opposite poles and decondense into chromatin; nuclear envelopes re-form around each set; spindle fibers disappear.
12. [Drawing on back: Two clusters of chromatin at opposite ends; new nuclear membranes forming around each cluster.]
13. Yes, cytokinesis is part of mitosis (specifically, the final stage following nuclear division).
14. Cytokinesis is the physical division of the cytoplasm and organelles, resulting in two separate daughter cells.
15. [Drawing on back: Cleavage furrow pinching the cell in two (animal cell) or cell plate forming (plant cell).]
16. The purpose of meiosis is to produce four genetically diverse haploid gametes (sperm or egg cells) for sexual reproduction.
17. The cell divides two times during meiosis (Meiosis I and Meiosis II).
18. Four haploid gamete cells are produced at the end of meiosis.
19. Prophase I involves crossing over and synapsis (pairing of homologous chromosomes); Prophase II has no crossing over and chromosomes are already condensed.
20. [Drawing on back: Prophase I – homologous chromosomes paired as tetrads with chiasmata; Prophase II – individual chromosomes, no pairing.]
21. Metaphase I aligns homologous chromosome pairs (tetrads) at the equator; Metaphase II aligns individual chromosomes (like mitosis) at the equator.
22. [Drawing on back: Metaphase I – tetrads lined up at equator; Metaphase II – single chromosomes lined up at equator.]
23. Anaphase I separates homologous chromosomes (each still composed of two sister chromatids); Anaphase II separates sister chromatids (like mitotic anaphase).
24. [Drawing on back: Anaphase I – homologous chromosomes moving apart; Anaphase II – sister chromatids moving apart.]
25. Telophase I results in two haploid cells (each chromosome still has two chromatids); Telophase II results in four haploid cells (each chromosome is a single chromatid).
26. [Drawing on back: Telophase I – two cells with half the chromosomes (each chromosome = 2 chromatids); Telophase II – four cells with single chromatid chromosomes.]
27. If a chemical prevented cell division, the cell would be unable to complete mitosis or meiosis, potentially leading to cell death, abnormal growth, or failure to produce gametes.