AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
Students should understand that meiosis leads to non-identical cells being…
Full specification wording
Sexual and asexual reproduction: Students should understand that meiosis leads to non-identical cells being formed while mitosis leads to identical cells being formed.
Meiosis and mitosis are both types of cell division but they produce different outcomes.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 5
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Meiosis and mitosis are both types of cell division but they produce different outcomes. Mitosis produces two genetically identical diploid cells, which is important for growth, repair and asexual reproduction. Meiosis produces four genetically non-identical haploid cells called gametes, which is essential for sexual reproduction. The non-identical cells arise because of processes such as crossing over and independent assortment during meiosis. They should also understand that meiosis halves the chromosome number, while mitosis maintains it.
For example: In humans, mitosis produces identical body cells with 46 chromosomes, while meiosis produces gametes with 23 chromosomes that are genetically varied.
What earns the marks
- Mitosis produces two genetically identical cells.
- Meiosis produces four genetically non-identical cells.
- Mitosis maintains the chromosome number (diploid to diploid).
- Meiosis halves the chromosome number (diploid to haploid).
- Meiosis introduces genetic variation through crossing over and independent assortment.
- Mitosis is used for growth, repair and asexual reproduction; meiosis is used to produce gametes for sexual reproduction.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Thinking mitosis produces non-identical cells.
Put it right: Mitosis produces identical cells.
Confusing the number of cells produced.
Put it right: State the correct number.
Believing meiosis produces identical gametes.
Put it right: Meiosis produces genetically non-identical gametes due to crossing over and independent assortment.
Exam tips
- Use a table to compare mitosis and meiosis clearly.
- Mention both the number of cells and their genetic similarity when comparing.
- Link the type of division to its function, such as growth for mitosis and gamete formation for meiosis.
Try the lesson
The start of the Sexual and asexual reproduction: Students should understand that meiosis leads to non-identical cells being formed while mitosis leads to identical cells being formed. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which type of cell division produces non-identical cells?
Listen
Meiosis and mitosis are both types of cell division but they produce different outcomes. Mitosis produces two genetically identical diploid cells, which is important for growth, repair and asexual reproduction. Meiosis produces four genetically non-identical haploid cells called gametes, which is essential for sexual reproduction. The non-identical cells arise because of processes such as crossing over and independent assortment during meiosis. They should also understand that meiosis halves the chromosome number, while mitosis maintains it. For example, in humans, mitosis produces identical body cells with 46 chromosomes, while meiosis produces gametes with 23 chromosomes that are genetically varied. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Mitosis produces two genetically identical cells. Meiosis produces four genetically non-identical cells. Mitosis maintains the chromosome number (diploid to diploid). Meiosis halves the chromosome number (diploid to haploid). A common slip: Thinking mitosis produces non-identical cells. Instead, mitosis produces identical cells. Exam tip: Use a table to compare mitosis and meiosis clearly.
See it
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Cell division can happen by mitosis or meiosis. Both are types of cell division, but they produce different outcomes. This lesson compares the cells they make and the jobs they do. Mitosis produces two genetically identical diploid cells. It maintains the chromosome number and is used for growth, repair and asexual reproduction. In humans, mitosis makes body cells with 46 chromosomes. Meiosis produces four genetically non-identical haploid cells called gametes. It halves the chromosome number and is essential for sexual reproduction. In humans, meiosis produces gametes with 23 chromosomes. The non-identical cells arise because of crossing over and independent assortment during meiosis. These processes introduce genetic variation. That is why gametes are genetically non-identical. Let's compare human cells. A body cell made by mitosis has 46 chromosomes and is diploid. A gamete made by meiosis has 23 chromosomes and is haploid. So meiosis halves the chromosome number, while mitosis maintains it. A common mistake is thinking mitosis produces non-identical cells; mitosis produces identical cells. Another is confusing the cell numbers: mitosis makes two cells, meiosis makes four. Also, meiosis does not produce identical gametes; crossing over and independent assortment make them genetically non-identical. So compare both number and genetic similarity. Mitosis gives two identical diploid cells for growth, repair and asexual reproduction. Meiosis gives four non-identical haploid gametes for sexual reproduction, with variation from crossing over and independent assortment.
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