MadSci Network: Cell Biology |
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?
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Cell Biology.