Prophase- Chromosomes condense, spindle fibers form

Metaphase- Chromosomes line up in the middle

Anaphase- sister chromatids are pulled apart

Telophase- Two nuclei form

Cytokinesis- The cell splits into two identical daughter cells

Key Characteristics

Produces two diploid cells

Daughter cells are genetically Identical to parent cell

Used for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction

No crossing over or genetic variation occurs

• OpenStax. (2021). Major events in mitosis [Diagram]. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Major_events_in_mitosis.svg

Meiosis I

Prophase I- Chromosomes pair up and cross over

Metaphase I- Homologous pairs line up randomly

Anaphase I- Homologous chromosomes separate

Telophase I & Cytokinesis- 2 Haploid cells form

Meiosis II

Similar to mitosis

Sister chromatids separate, forming 4 haploid cells

Key characteristics

produces 4 haploid cells

cells are genetically different

used in sexual reproduction (sperm and eggs)

Creates genetic variation through:

Crossing over (Prophase I)

Independent assortment (Metaphase I)

Genetic variation and Mendel:

crossing over shuffles genes between homologous chromosomes

independent assortment means each pair of chromosomes sorts independently pf others

This supports Mendel's law of independent assortment- traits are inherited separately

• OpenStax. (2021). Meiosis diagram [Diagram]. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Meiosis_diagram_en.svg