1. Distinguish between somatic and reproductive cell division and explain the importance of each.
Somatic cell division
- An orderly sequence of events in which a somatic cell duplicates its contents and divides in two. Somatic cells are diploid, which means they have two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent. It undergoes mitosis. Somatic cells are any cells, except for reproductive/sex cells. Somatic cell division is important because it is used by all multicellular animals for growth, maintenance, and repair of cells and tissues. That is why knowing when to stop dividing is also necessary, because continuous division of cells may lead to cancer.
Reproductive cell division
- Each new organism is the result of the union of two different gametes (fertilization), one pro- duced by each parent. It consists of a haploid genome and undergoes meiosis. Unlike somatic cells, reproductive cells are only present in sex cells. It is important because it makes the transferring of genetic material to offspring possible.
2. What is the significance of interphase?
- Interphase is a state of high metabolic activity, as this is when the cell does most of its growing. It enables the cell to grow, replicate its DNA, and prepare for cell division, or mitosis. The cell division cannot proceed to mitosis without undergoing interphase, because this is where cells makes a copy of its DNA.
Reference:
Lakna. (2017, March 28). Difference Between Somatic Cells and Gametes. Retrieved from https://pediaa.com/difference-between-somatic-cells-and-gametes/