Mitosis and Meiosis: Two Different Forms of Reproduction

In order for ecosystem to continue growing, reproduction has to occur whether it is sexually, asexually, or both. “Reproduction, one of the basic characteristics of all life forms, may be accomplished by two forms of cell division, Mitosis or Meiosis” (Freeman). A cell can occur sexually by the process of Meiosis. The cell must have a stage that is diploid to be able to undergo meiosis. A cell can also occur by the process of Mitosis. Some species in our ecosystem have the ability to reproduce both sexually and asexually at different times in its lifecycle, such as the bread slime mold called Rhizopus.

The two forms of cell division are Mitosis and Meiosis. Mitosis occurs in the somatic (body) cells and is where there is maintenance, growth, repairing of tissues. Most species divide by Meiosis. Meiosis occurs in cells of reproductive cells and produce gamete (sex) cells (Freeman). With Meiosis, different genes located on the chromosomes, are passed down to the offspring from the parents.

Mitosis only takes up around 10% of a cell cycle and 90% is when the cell goes through interphase (Freeman). Interphase is where the cell grows and replicates. Interphase includes the G1 phase, S phase, and the G2 phase. The G1 and G2 phase is the growth phase of organelles. The S phase is where the chromosomes of the cells are replicated.

Mitosis has four phases of cell division. The first phase is called prophase where the cell is diploid. In prophase, chromosome pairs are visible and the centrioles move to opposite poles. The second phase is called metaphase where the cell is diploid. The chromosomes are tightly condensed and align at the metaphase plate. The third phase is called anaphase. The spindle fibers connect the sister chromati...

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No matter what species you are, you must reproduce by Mitosis, Meiosis, or both. Mitosis is an asexual reproduction process while Meiosis is a sexual reproduction process. They both have similar phase events but the major difference between them is the presences of one or two parent cells in the production of daughter cells. Some species are found to perform both kinds of reproduction, such as the bread slime mold Rhizopus. Our ecosystem is continuously growing and expanding due the reproduction of all different species.

Works Cited

Freeman, Scott. Biological Science. 3rd ed. San Francisco : Pearson Benjamin Cummings, 2008. 43-57,68-71,82-92. Print.

"Microbiologically Important Moulds." Studentsguide.in: results in style 1-2. Web. 26 Jul 2010. .