Cell Division.

Body (somatic) cells contain one pair of chromosomes from each parent, one derived from the ovum and
one from the sperm. This is known as the diploid state (2n). The gametes which produced these somatic
cells must have half this number of chromosomes each, they are haploid (n)
The fertilised ovum divides repeatedly to produce all the cells in the body. Each cell must have a full,
identical set of chromosomes and the process by which a cell divides to form body cells is mitosis

Mitosis is the cell division of growth and repair. The chromosomes are first copied and then carefully
sorted into identical pairs and one of each pair is drawn to opposite sides of the cell to ensure that a full
diploid set of chromosomes goes in to each daughter cell This ensures that all body cells are genetically
identical.
Mitosis is necessary for growth, repair of damaged tissue and cell replacement and asexual reproduction.

Growth and development are controlled by genes, influenced by the environment e.g. a seed
germinating in the correct environmental conditions

Growth is a permanent increase in size and dry mass of an organism caused by an increase in
cell numbers and/or
cell size

Development is an increase in complexity e.g. production of flowers by a green plant, puberty.

Meiosis is the cell division of the production of gametes which only occurs in the gonads. It is a process
similar to mitosis but the cell divides twice. Each daughter cell gets only one of each pair of
chromosomes and therefore is haploid (n). This ensures that each gamete has half the chromosome
content of the embryo. On fertilisation and fusion, the embryo becomes diploid.

Mitosis Meiosis (two successive divisions)

2n (23pairs) 2n (23pairs)
23 prs 23 prs
Duplication
Duplication of of
chromosomes chromosomes
4n (2x23 pairs) 4n (2x23 pairs)

Two
division
2n (23 pairs) 2n (23 pairs) 2n (23 pairs)
2n (23 pairs) s

2n (23) 2n (23) n (23) n (23)

One division to
make somatic
cells

Gamete
s
Diagrams of the stages of mitosis