How are haploid gametes formed?
The haploid gametes are formed through the process of meiosis. The chromosomes in cell wind together to make an 'x' shape and they bind together. They split and make individual cells with a unique pattern of genes.
How does meiosis create genetic variation?
It creates genetic variation in two ways:
- in the first phase of meiosis chromosomes cross over and bind and mix alleles to create a whole new chromosome.
- Meiosis puts only one kind of chromosome in the gametes and selects which one at random.
How do mitosis and meiosis differ in terms of:
- Variation: Mitosis creates diploid cells so everything is exactly the same like the parent organism. Meiosis creates haploid cells so two parents are required to cross genes and create an organism with only half from each parent.
- # of Chromosomes: Mitosis has the original number of chromosomes, so 42. Meiosis only has half of that amount, 23.
- # of Cells: Mitosis has 2 diploid cells produced while meiosis has 4 haploid.