Chapter 1: Variations, Heredity & Cell Division Exercise Based Questions & Answers Define cell division. Cell division is the process in which a parent cell divides to form two or more daughter cells. How is mitosis different from meiosis? Mitosis produces two identical diploid cells for growth and repair, while meiosis produces four genetically different haploid cells for reproduction. What is the function of a gene? A gene is a segment of DNA that contains instructions for making proteins and controlling traits. Define nucleotides. Nucleotides are the basic units of DNA and RNA made up of a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base. How is prophase in mitosis different from prophase-I in meiosis? In mitosis, chromosomes condense only, while in prophase-I of meiosis homologous chromosomes pair up and crossing over occurs. Justify the statement: “Chromosomes are the carriers of DNA and genes.” Chromosomes are made of DNA, and genes are sections of DNA that carry heredit...