The Case of the Dividing Cell

Mitosis and Meiosis in the Cellular Court

By Clyde Freeman Herreid

Abstract

The Honorable Judge Cellular is presiding over the case of The State vs.Egg Cell Number 6624223. As the prosecuting attorney calls each witness to the stand and the courtroom drama unfolds, students learn about the stages of mitosis and meiosis and their particular characteristics, and how cell division in prokaryotes differs from that in eukaryotes. The case is suited to an introductory biology course and would also work well in high school biology classes.

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Date Posted

10/27/2003

Overview

Objectives

To learn the stages of mitosis and meiosis and their particular characteristics.
To learn how cell division in prokaryotes differs from that in eukaryotes.
To learn how somatic cells produce diploid clones of themselves whereas germ cells produce haploid gametes.
To learn how variation is achieved in gamete development.

Keywords

Cell division; meiosis; mitosis; interphase; prophase; metaphase; anaphase; telophase; diploid; haploid; prokaryote; eukaryote; chromatid; germ cell; gamete

Subject Headings

Biology (General)

Cell Biology

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

High school, Undergraduate lower division

FORMAT

PDF

TOPICAL AREAS

N/A

LANGUAGE

English

TYPE/METHODS

Directed