Difference Between Mitosis And Meiosis

Difference Between Mitosis And Meiosis: Meiosis and Mitosis cell division is crucial for sustaining life processes. Mitosis cell division produces two identical daughter cells with the same chromosome number, while meiosis produces four genetically different haploid cells for sexual reproduction.

Mitosis takes part in growth, repair, and asexual reproduction, on the other hand, meiosis is essential for sexual reproduction, producing sperm and egg cells for genetic diversity. This article provides a difference between mitosis and meiosis, a brief introduction to cell division, an overview of mitosis and meiosis, and their significance.

Differences Between Mitosis and Meiosis 

The difference between mitosis and meiosis are as follows:

Feature	Mitosis	Meiosis
Discovered By	Walther Flemming	Oscar Hertwig
Type of Division	Equational division	Reductional division
Number of Nuclei	Two nuclei with the same chromosomes	Four nuclei with half the chromosomes
Similarity to Parent	Daughter nuclei are identical	Daughter nuclei are not identical
Phases	Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase	Meiosis I and Meiosis II, each with four phases
Cell Type	Occurs in both haploid and diploid cells	Occurs in diploid cells only
Genetic Variation	Produces genetically identical cells	Produces genetically non-identical cells
Cytokinesis	Occurs in Telophase	Occurs in Telophase I and in Telophase II
Mode of Reproduction	Asexual Reproduction	Sexual Reproduction
Role	Help in growth and repair	Help in reproduction by maintaining chromosome numbers, promotes variation

What is Mitosis?

Mitosis cell division is a type of karyokinesis in which the nucleus divides to form two nuclei having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent cell. It is an equational division. The daughter nuclei formed are exactly identical to the parent cell. The mitosis stages are:

1. Interphase:
   • G1 Phase: Growth of cell take place.
   • S Phase: DNA replication
   • G2 Phase: Preparation for mitosis.
2. Prophase:
   • Condensation of Chromosomes take place.
   • Formtion of spindle fibre.
   • Nuclear envelope breaks down.
3. Metaphase:
   • Chromosomes align at the metaphase plate.
   • Spindle fibers attach to centromeres.
4. Anaphase:
   • Sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles.
5. Telophase:
   • Chromatids reach poles and de-condense.
   • Nuclear envelopes reform.
6. Cytokinesis:
   • Cell divides and forms two daughter cell.

What is Meiosis?

Meiosis is a type of Karyokinesis in which the nucleus divides to form four nuclei having half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell. It is a reductional division. Daughter nuclei formed are not identical to parent cells. Meiosis I is a reductional division because homologous chromosomes are segregated and thus chromosome number is reduced to half. Meiosis II is equational division and is very much similar to mitosis, chromatids of a chromosome are separated.

Between meiosis, I and meiosis II, a phase known as ‘interkinesis’ is present where centrosome replication occurs. Meiosis I involves the pairing of homologous chromosomes, crossing over between them, and their separation, leading to a reduction in chromosome number. Meiosis II is similar to mitosis, where sister chromatids are separated, resulting in the formation of four genetically non Identical haploid cells.

Similarities Between Mitosis and Meiosis

Similarities Between Mitosis and Meiosis are as follows:

• Both mitosis and meiosis are types of cell division.
• Both the processes take place in the nucleus of cell.
• During the preceding interphase, replication of DNA take place in both the processes.
• Both processes starts with a diploid cell having homologous chromosomes.
• During cell division both use spindle fibers to move chromosomes.

Conclusion – Difference Between Mitosis And Meiosis

Mitosis and meiosis are two different processes, each having different function. The difference between mitosis and meiosis table is described above. In Mitosis nucleus divides to form two nuclei having the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell. In Meiosis the nucleus divides to form four nuclei having half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell. Meiosis help in the continuity of life and promotion of genetic diversity. Mitosis, on the other hand, takes part in the growth and development of cells. Meiosis also repair the genetic defects in germline cells.

FAQs on Mitosis and Meiosis

What is Mitosis?

In Mitosis cell divides along with the chromosomes, and splits to form two identical daughter cells.

What is Meiosis?

Meiosis is a cell division that occur in the sexually reproducing organisms and reduces the number of chromosomes in gametes.

List Out the Difference Between Mitosis and Meiosis.

Mitosis produces two identical diploid cells for growth and repair, while meiosis generates four non-identical haploid cells for sexual reproduction, introducing genetic diversity.

State a Few Similarities Between Mitosis and Meiosis.

Both mitosis and meiosis involve cell division processes with prior DNA replication during interphase, and both use spindle fibers to move chromosomes during cell division.

What are Mitosis Stages?

Mitosis consists of five stages: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telphase, and Cytokinesis.

How Many Times do Cells Divide During Meiosis?

Cells divide twice during meiosis, resulting in the formation of four haploid daughter cells from one diploid parent cell.

What is the End Results of Meiosis?

The end result of meiosis is four haploid daughter cells, each genetically distinct and ready for sexual reproduction.