1. Distinguish between somatic and reproductive cell division and explain the importance of each.
- First and foremost, somatic cells are scattered throughout the body and can be found in different tissues, while reproductive cells are exclusively found in reproductive organs. Both types go through cellular division but of different types, as somatic cells go through mitosis to form new cells for tissue repair, growth, or replacement, while reproductive cells go through meiosis to produce a new individual.
2. What is the significance of interphase?
- Interphase is actually the longest stage in cell division, wherein the cells absorb nutrients and prepare to divide the cells and replicate the DNA. That said, it is really important for it to finish so as to not have problems with DNA replication and ensure the cell is fully prepared to divide and mutate. Incorrect coding of DNA could also result to the cell not functioning properly, as everything has to be precise to be result in a successful cell division during interphase.