MadSci Network: Cell Biology
Query:

Re: my cells in mitosis(not gametes)contain same genes, when do cell differ

Date: Tue Mar 11 12:51:38 2003
Posted By: Elsa Lee, Grad student, Molecular Cell Biology
Area of science: Cell Biology
ID: 1046136527.Cb
Message:

Hi Diane,

Yes, you are correct, mitosis occurs in all cells. Meiosis is a 
specialized form of mitosis that occurs in gametes.Cell differentiation 
does not occur during mitosis or meiosis. Mitosis and meiosis deal with 
the division of genetic material.  

Here are some tutorials on the two processes:

mitosis 
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/cell_bio/tutorials/cell_cycle/cells3.html

meiosis http
://www.biology.arizona.edu/cell_bio/tutorials/meiosis/page3.html

Every cell in your body has the same genetic material so in "theory" they 
can be any type of cell. It is actually very complicated how one cell 
decides to become an eye cell versus a skin cell. After the egg is 
fertilized by a sperm, the oocyte goes through a large number of mitotic 
events. In the process, these cells make proteins that tell one another 
what to do (this is called cell signaling). Some cells will be told to 
differetiate to develop into a heart while others are told to develop 
into a brain. The exact signals are not known. It involves complex 
interactions of individual cells and groups of cells. Many scientists are 
currently interested in learning how cells signal and communicate to one 
another during cell development and differentiation.

Have fun with science!
Elsa

Admin note: see the following posts for more details on cell differentiation:
How 
is Gene expression affected by mitosis?
What 
causes cell differentiation in the developing fetus?
How 
do cells in a developing embryo become specialized and different?





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