Explainer – 10 – The types of cell division

Explainer – 10 – Types of cell division (Mitosis and Meiosis)

The cells also need to reproduce just as humans do by the process of sexual reproduction, cells use two types of cell division which are, Mitosis and Meiosis.

Mitosis (The most common type of cell division)

• Most of the cells reproduce by mitosis
• No. Of daughter cells produced – In mitosis, there is one parent cell and it divides into 2 daughter cells.
• Feature -These daughter cells have the Same DNA and Same number of Chromosomes as of the parent cell.

Meiosis

• This type of cell division that produces gametes and takes place in the cells of reproductive organs.
• Meiosis in humans mainly occurs in the testes in the males and in the ovaries in the females. Meiosis in plants mainly occurs in the anthers which are the male parts and ovaries which are the female parts.
• In meiosis the parent cell divides two time

• During the first division, the cell divide into two daughter cells and the no. Of chromosomes are reduced to half.
• During the second division, in thi division two daughter cell divides into 4 more daughter cells with half the no. of chromosomes

Errors in meiosis are quite dangerous :-

• errors in meiosis can cause

• Uncontrolled cell divisions
• Formation of tumours and abnormal no. of Chromosomes in body cells.
• Genetic disorders
• It may also cause early pregnancy loss or reduced fertility