Cell Division: Mitosis and Meiosis
Genetics · Cell Division
Syllabus tag: KCSE | Biology | Form 4 | Topic 1 Genetics
Lesson objectives
By the end of this topic, you should be able to:
- Describe the structure of a chromosome and the role of DNA.
- Describe the stages of mitosis and state its significance.
- Describe the stages of meiosis and state its significance.
- Compare mitosis and meiosis and explain how meiosis produces variation.
Summary
Chromosomes carry genetic information as DNA. Mitosis produces two daughter cells identical to the parent with the same chromosome number, and is used for growth and repair. Meiosis produces four cells with half the chromosome number, all genetically different, and is used to make gametes. Meiosis is the source of variation.