i was wondering that, if zygote, that divide through mitosis and generate somatic and germ cells, and in plants, somatic cells undergo meiosis to produce spores. then, is it possible that animal somatic cells, that generally undergo mitosis, can be manipulated (in any possible way) to undergo meiosis.
In multi cellular plants and animals, however, meiosis is restricted to germ cells, where it is key to sexual reproduction. Whereas somatic cells undergo mitosis to proliferate, the germ cells undergo meiosis to produce haploid gametes ( the sperm and the egg).
That is right, Sylvester, that is why meiosis is restricted to two organs, i.e., Ovary and testis. These organs produce germ cells, process is called gametogenesis, i.e, oogenesis or spermatogenesis (meiosis takes place during these two processes). Mature gametes are terminally differentiated. No way to divide unless they fuse to produce zygote or face death.
If you want to go over my article, please see Figure 10 (Wildtype mouse) process of spermatogenesis is indirectly assessed in a mouse model. That will give you some basics of spermatogenesis
thank you Sylvester Peter Antai and Subhash C. Juneja,
what you both have explained is a norm i.e. meiosis is limited to germs cells and these cells are found only in gonads.
what i was trying to ask is that is their any study that has been done so far to re-differentiate somatic cells into germ cells or make somatic cells undergo meiosis (primary characteristic of germs cells and unnatural for somatic cells).
or i can re-arrange my question as "what factors are involved in directing cells to follow meiotic or mitotic path for cell division?".
Hi Fayaz, your rephrased question is a 64 million dollar question. and I really do not know the answer. You may look literature if some info available on this. I never thought of it. But good question.
somatic cells in animals can only undergo mitosis .Meiosis takes place in reproduction cells where the cells divide following procedural sequence.In a nutshell ,meiosis is for reproduction purposes while mitosis is for growth of new cells of other body parts ,somatic cells.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Cell Biology