Answer the following questions in the VLE.
1. Distinguish between somatic and reproductive cell division and explain the importance of each.
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Somatic cell division happens when there is an increase in body cells, while reproductive cell division involves the production of sperms and eggs. The cell cycle in somatic cells involves a nuclear division called mitosis plus cytokinesis. Somatic cell division involves the replication process of chromosomes in preparation for cell division, allowing cell duplication of contents and division in two. The reproductive cell division, on the other hand, consists of meiosis plus cytokinesis. This allows for the recombination of DNA, which shows how no two sperm or egg cells are genetically the same.
2. What is the significance of interphase?
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The interphase is the longest phase which makes it so important for cell division as it allows the cell to grow, replicate its DNA, and ensure that the cell is completely ready to divide.