Title: Activity: (U3 M1) PBS Virtual Tutorial
Course: SkillsCom BI 102 17.0 > Section: Unit 3 Module 1

Before moving on to the Lab and Competency Assessment, it is of the utmost importance that you understand the differences between mitosis and meiosis. PBS has a fantastic virtual simulation that showcases the two processes side-by-side that will allow you to gain a deeper appreciation of their differences and similarities. One of the biggest hurdles that must be overcome in your understanding is to lose the reliance on memorizing images and examples that are in your text and Lecture. If you truly understand mitosis and meiosis, you can evaluate the stages in each process, regardless of number of chromosomes used and color coding: homologous color coding vs. maternal/paternal color coding.

Click on the link below to access the tutorial:

PBS Virtual Tutorial on How Cells Divide (Webpage)

Using your textbook and the PBS tutorial, work through each stage of mitosis and meiosis. You have the ability to pause and replay each part of the simulation to thoroughly digest each process at each stage. As you examine each stage, take the following steps to understand the differences in mitosis and meiosis, as well as the differences in examples used in your textbook and the PBS simulations.

1. Draw each stage in your notes to resemble the PBS cells as closely as possible. Pay attention to color coding used to differentiate chromosomes.
2. In your own words, explain what you are seeing happen during each stage. You may want to click on “replay” a few times to give a play-by-play analysis of what you are viewing.
3. At each stage, pause and compare the stage to how it is depicted in your textbook. Describe in your notes the differences/similarities in terms of color coding, chromosome number, and analogies made between mitosis and meiosis.

This Activity is not to be turned in or graded. However, there will be questions on the Credit Unit Assessment regarding this Activity.