This article series provides information of how mitotic and meiotic cell division differ and how these processes are integral to the human life cycle.

The following articles explore the different types of cell division that are part of the life cycle of all sexually reproducing organisms. There is also information regarding how some organisms can reproduce asexually, without a mate, when cell division results in offspring that are clones.

Quick Links to Articles in Series

Human Life Cycle Mitosis & Meiosis: Sexual Reproduction & Mitotic and Meiotic Cellular Division

It all begins with the fusion of a haploid sperm cell provided by the father and the haploid ovum of the mother. Gametes unite when the nuclei of sperm and egg merge. The fertilized egg that results from the fusion of sperm and egg DNA is called a zygote.

Mitosis & Meiosis Difference: Comparison of Mitotic and Meiotic Cell Division

Mitosis and meiosis are two types of cells division. Mitosis is how the cells of our body make more cells for growth, development and repair. Meiosis is how our body makes sex cells, or gametes (ovum or sperm).

Meiosis & Sexual Reproduction: How Sex Cell Formation and Fertilization Shuffle Our Genes

Meiosis, a type of cell division, results in production of gametes (eggs & sperm). Genetically unique sex cells combine at fertilization to form one-of-a-kind offspring.

Asexual and Sexual Reproduction: Comparison of the Clones of Mitosis and Sex Cells of Meiosis

Many single-celled organisms reproduce by binary fission; the splitting of a parent cell after the genetic material has been duplicated. Some multi-celled organisms reproduce by cloning as well. Living things that procreate sexually create genetic novelty, genetically ‘shuffling the deck’ through independent assortment, crossover of and the combination of genes from two parents.

What Is Mitotic Cellular Division? The Cell Cycle: Stages of Interphase and Mitosis

You grew from a zygote, or fertilized egg, into an organism with trillions of specialized cells. In order for organisms to grow, develop and maintain life, cells must divide. Cellular division involves the basic stages of interphase, nuclear division and cytokinesis.

Nucleotides & Nucleic Acids: The Building Blocks of DNA, RNA and ATP

Nucleic acids deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA) are the genetic material of cells. What kind of molecules are nucleotides and nucleic acids and what are they made of? This article covers the basics.

More Information

See Cells Alive or the website Science Prof Online to learn more about cell biology.

Sources

Campbell, N. A. & Reece J. B. (2005) Biology, seventh edition. Pearson Education Inc.

Campbell, N. A., Reece J. B. & Simon, E. (2004) Essential Biology with Physiology. Pearson Education Inc.