How do Cells Divide?

Introduction

• Cells divide through two main processes: mitosis and meiosis.
• Mitosis is the process of making new body cells.
• Meiosis is the division process that creates egg and sperm cells.

Mitosis

• A fundamental process for life where a cell duplicates its contents, including its chromosomes, to form two identical daughter cells.
• Regulated by certain genes, and when uncontrolled, it can result in health issues like cancer.

Meiosis

• Ensures the correct number of chromosomes in each generation.
• A two-step process reducing chromosome number by half (from 46 to 23) to form sperm and egg cells.
• Allows genetic variation through gene shuffling during cell division.

Resources for Further Study

• The National Human Genome Research Institute provides a glossary for mitosis and meiosis.
• Yourgenome from the Wellcome Trust outlines similarities and differences between mitosis and meiosis.

Related Topics in Genetics

• What are proteins and what do they do?
• How do genes direct the production of proteins?
• Can genes be turned on and off in cells?
• What is epigenetics?
• How do genes control the growth and division of cells?
• How do geneticists indicate the location of a gene?

Notes

• The information provided should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Contact a healthcare provider for personal health questions.
• The page was last updated on March 26, 2021.