Plant mitosis and interphase in Allium (onion) root-tip cells

Calculations to determine stage length:
See p. 135: typical plant cell cycle is about 800 (not 80) minutes.
If interphase comprises 80% of cells: 800 min. * .8 = 640 min. = 10 hours, 40 min.

Rank the stages from longest to shortest:
Interphase usually longest, followed by prophase and telophase; metaphase/anaphase usually shortest.

Animal mitosis and interphase in whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) blastula cells p. 140

Questions

1. Compare mitosis as it occurs in plant and animal cells. What are the similarities and differences? (See p. 135)
   Plant cells: chromosomes appear bigger, cell plate during cytokinesis.
   Animal cells: centrosomes visible as asters, more distinct microtubules, cleavage furrow during cytokinesis.

2. In mammals, how is meiosis similar and different between the male and the female? p. 141
   Male: 1 primary spermatocyte produces 4 equal-sized, small sperm.
   Female: 1 primary oocyte produces 1 large ovum (unfertilized egg) + 2/3 polar bodies.

3. Contrast mitosis and meiosis. How do the processes differ? In what ways are the processes similar? How do the processes differ in function to an organism?

   
   Differences:
                            mitosis        meiosis
           divisions        1              2
           daughter cells   2 diploid      4 haploid
           function         growth/repair  gametes, genetic variation
   

   Similarities: DNA replication before first cell division, stages of cell division, cytokinesis.