Meiosis and Apoptosis

Meiosis creates gametes.  It starts with 1 diploid cell and divides into two haploid cells (meiosis I). these two haploid cells then divide into 4 gamete cells (meiosis II). Each phase of meiosis follows the order of the stages of mitosis (PMAT) but exactly what each stage does varies slightly.  This will be covered in more depth during the reproductive system.

Apoptosis is the programmed death of a cell. It occurs in a cell that does not divide or differentiate.  Apoptosis is a protective mechanism as well as a continuous process.  The process begins with a receptor that turns on capsases.  Typically takes less than an hour.