Cell division warm up

Body cells divide many times to multiply in numbers.

This division is called Mitosis, in which each cell divides into two identical cells.

The body cell are called somatic cells (soma = body)

Somatic cells have 2 copies of each chromosome (Diploid)

Gamete cells have 1 copy of each chromosome (Haploid).

Ex) in humans somatic cells have 46 chromosomes, but gametes have 23 chromosomes.

Gamete cells are responsible for new individual formation.

A new individual forms when a sperm unites with an egg.

On haploid cell (n) + one haploid cell (n)= one diploid cell (2n)

This way different species maintain their number of chromosomes over generations.