The Building Blocks of Life Worksheet Essay Example
Associate Level Material
Appendix C
The Building Blocks of Life Worksheet
Part 1: Mitosis and Meiosis Short-Answer Response
Use Ch. 5 of BioInquiry and the “Comparing Mitosis and Meiosis” video as resources for Part 1 of this assignment. Write 75- to 100-word answers to the following questions.
• Why are the process of mitosis and meiosis both important to a living organism?
Mitosis is very important to living organisms. Mitosis is a process of cell division. Basically, mitosis is where the parent cell divides and two genetically identically cells arise. This isn’t like in reproduction where two parent cells come together and begin to divide carrying chromosomes from each parent. Instead mitosis happens when the organism is growing larger, damaged, or getting older. Meiosis is similar to mitosis but it does involve reproduction. Meiosis is the process where cells divide and therefore multiply. However, meiosis also reduces the number of chromosomes in each new daughter cell by exactly one half.
• When would an organism need to undergo the process of mitosis? Meiosis?
An organism would undergo the process of mitosis when it is growing larger and new identical cells need to be created. Mitosis would also be necessary if it is damaged and new cells need to replace the dead or damaged cells. Also if the organism is ageing, mitosis can replenish older cells. Only an organism that is capable of reproducing would undergo the process of meiosis. Obviously then, meiosis would only happen when the organism is reproducing.
• What would happen if meiosis did not occur?
Simply put, if meiosis didn’t occur, human and animal reproduction would be impossible. If meiosis didn’t occur the chromosome number would double with each succeeding generation. Also meiosis allows room for the second parent’s chromosomes. If meiosis didn’t reduce the number of chromosomes in the cell by half, there would be no room for additional chromosomes from
Appendix C
The Building Blocks of Life Worksheet
Part 1: Mitosis and Meiosis Short-Answer Response
Use Ch. 5 of BioInquiry and the “Comparing Mitosis and Meiosis” video as resources for Part 1 of this assignment. Write 75- to 100-word answers to the following questions.
• Why are the process of mitosis and meiosis both important to a living organism?
Mitosis is very important to living organisms. Mitosis is a process of cell division. Basically, mitosis is where the parent cell divides and two genetically identically cells arise. This isn’t like in reproduction where two parent cells come together and begin to divide carrying chromosomes from each parent. Instead mitosis happens when the organism is growing larger, damaged, or getting older. Meiosis is similar to mitosis but it does involve reproduction. Meiosis is the process where cells divide and therefore multiply. However, meiosis also reduces the number of chromosomes in each new daughter cell by exactly one half.
• When would an organism need to undergo the process of mitosis? Meiosis?
An organism would undergo the process of mitosis when it is growing larger and new identical cells need to be created. Mitosis would also be necessary if it is damaged and new cells need to replace the dead or damaged cells. Also if the organism is ageing, mitosis can replenish older cells. Only an organism that is capable of reproducing would undergo the process of meiosis. Obviously then, meiosis would only happen when the organism is reproducing.
• What would happen if meiosis did not occur?
Simply put, if meiosis didn’t occur, human and animal reproduction would be impossible. If meiosis didn’t occur the chromosome number would double with each succeeding generation. Also meiosis allows room for the second parent’s chromosomes. If meiosis didn’t reduce the number of chromosomes in the cell by half, there would be no room for additional chromosomes from