what we did in class 1/31/10

If I could go back in time I would tell myself the differences between mitosis and meiosis. In meiosis the end result are haploid cells which mean that the cell(s) have only half of the DNA that it started with. In mitosis the end result is a diploid cell which means the new cell(s) has the exact amount of DNA as the parent cell did before mitosis. Another thing is that mitosis is used for replacing old, damaged cells and to make new ones. Meiosis is used to make sex cells. Also that the steps for the processes are basically the same. The only difference is that the steps in mitosis are prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase and cytokenisis. the steps in meiosis are prophase I, metaphase I, anaphase I, telophase I, cytokenisis, prophase II, metaphase II, anaphase II, telophase II, and gamete. The steps are the same just that in meiosis the steps are repeated twice where as in mitosis they are only done once.

The thing that helped me the most was the simulation in class we did on Friday that showed us each step, from each process at the same time. This really made it easier to learn the differences and similarities between the two processes. We could compare what was happening at each phase. Also on the side were brief descriptions of what was happening during each phase. Using visuals like that really helps me in learning things like these two processes.. If I went back in time and new I was going to do this I would be very confident that I would learn this concept very well.

video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy-GY-YCg3Y

what we did in class this week 1 /23/10

This week in class we have been learning about meiosis and how it is similar to mitosis. Both processes involve cellular reproduction but in mitosis the end result is two identical cells. In meiosis the end result is 4 cells that have half of the number of chromosomes that the parent cell had. In mitosis forms somatic cells which can help to make the body grow and heal. Meiosis forms reproductive cells like sperm and egg cells. Even with these differences the process is basically still the same.

In mitosis the phase are prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, and cytokenisis. In meiosis the phases are prophase I, metaphase I, anaphase I, telophase I, prophase II, metaphase II, anaphase II, telophase II and lastly gamete. The steps are all the same except that in meiosis the steps happen twice so they form 4 cells instead of only 2 like in mitosis.

what we did in class 1/18/10

This week in class we further discussed the process of mitosis. We learned each step more thoroughly. The first step is prophase. In this step the DNA starts to coil and makes chromosomes. Also proteins in the cells start to make spindle fibers and the nuclear membrane around the cell disintegrates. The next step is metaphase where the chromosomes line up in the center of the cell. The next step is anaphase. In anaphase the spindles pull each chromatid to opposite poles in the cell. The final stage is telephase where two nuclei star to form in the cell. Then the cell seperates into two identical cells in the process of cytokinesis.

The other process in which the cell grows through is called interphase. Interphase is anytime in the cell other than mitosis. This is the time the DNA replicates and the cell gets ready to preform mitosis.

what we did in class 1/10/10

This week in class we have been leaning about cellular reproduction. We have been learning about how cells reproduce by splitting themselves. But when things split they only have half of what they used to. But cells right before they split they copy all of the organelles and a nucleus. then they split so now when they split they will have everything they need. This process it called mitosis.

Mitosis is the process that i was just talking about. There are 5 stages of mitosis and they are called interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Each of these phases lead to the splitting of cells. In interphase the DNA has copied not enough to make a chromosome. Prophase is when the DNA is made into chromosomes. In metaphase the chromosomes align themselves in the cell. Anaphase is when the chromosomes start to separate in order to split. Telephase is the last stage and is when the cell finally starts to split.