AMITY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, NOIDA

CLASS IX BIOLOGY

CHAPTER : THE FUNDAMENTAL UNIT OF LIFE

Handout 3

TOPIC : CELL DIVISION

New cells are formed in organisms in order to grow, to replace old, dead and injured cells,
and to form gametes required for reproduction.The process by which new cells are made is
called cell division. There are two main types of cell division: mitosis and meiosis.
The process of cell division by which most of the cells divide for growth is called mitosis.
In this process, each cell called mother cell divides to form two identical daughter cells
(Fig. 5.7).The daughter cells have the same number of chromosomes as mother cell. It
helps in growth and repair of tissues in organisms.
Specific cells of reproductive organs or tissues in animals and plants divide to form gametes,
which after fertilisation give rise to offspring. They divide by a different process called
meiosis which involves two consecutive divisions. When a cell divides by meiosis it produces
four new cells instead of just two (Fig.5.8). The new cells only have half the number of
chromosomes than that of the mother cells. Can you think as to why the chromosome
number has reduced to half in daughter cells?

Fig. 5.7: Mitosis Fig. 5.8: Meiosis

RELATED QUESTIONS
Q1.Define cell division
The process by which new cells are made is called cell division. There are two main types
of cell division: mitosis and meiosis

Q2. Differentiate between Mitosis and Meiosis.

Mitosis
Mitosis is the type of cell division that
results in the formation of two daughter
cells each with the same number of
chromosomes as the parent cell.”
Mitosis is the process where the division of
cell occurs by asexual reproduction.
Ithelps in growth and repair of tissues in
Meiosis
Meiosis is a type of cell division that results
in the formation of four daughter cells each
with half the number of chromosomes as
the parent cell.”
Sexual mode of reproduction is observed
for meiosis.
Specific cells of reproductive organs or
organisms. tissues in animals and plants divide to form
gametes, which after fertilisation give rise
tooffspring. They divide by the process
called meiosis
Mitosis produces diploid cells (46 Meiosis produces haploid cells (23
chromosomes) chromosomes).
It involves one division It involves two division

Q3. Write the similarities between Mitosis and Meiosis.

Q4. Where does mitosis and meiosis takes place in our body respectively?
Mitosis takes place in all parts of your body, keeping your tissues and organs in good
working order. Mitosis occurs in somatic cells (Cells that forms your body). Mitosis occurs
wherever more cells are needed hence, mitosis is for cell repair and growth.

Meiosis occurs in the germ cells (reproductive cells). Meiosis occurs within the reproductive
organs. The ovaries produce eggs and the testes produce sperm through this process.