What is the Difference Between Mitosis and Meiosis?

Mitosis and meiosis are two types of cell division that serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics:

Mitosis:

1. Involves one cell division.
2. Results in two daughter cells.
3. Results in diploid daughter cells (chromosome number remains the same as parent cell).
4. Daughter cells are genetically identical.
5. Occurs in all organisms except viruses.
6. Creates all body cells (somatic) apart from germ cells (eggs and sperm).
7. Prophase is much shorter.
8. No recombination/crossing over occurs in prophase.

Meiosis:

1. Involves two successive cell divisions.
2. Results in four daughter cells.
3. Results in haploid daughter cells (chromosome number is halved from the parent cell).
4. Daughter cells are genetically different.
5. Occurs only in animals, plants, and fungi.
6. Creates germ cells (eggs and sperm) only.
7. Prophase I takes much longer than prophase in mitosis.
8. Crossing over occurs during meiosis I, increasing genetic diversity.

In summary, mitosis creates two genetically identical daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes, while meiosis creates four genetically unique daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes. Mitosis is responsible for creating body cells, while meiosis is involved in the production of germ cells (sperm and egg cells) for sexual reproduction.

Comparative Table: Mitosis vs Meiosis

Here is a table comparing the key differences between mitosis and meiosis:

Mitosis is the process by which body cells divide and create copies of themselves for growth and tissue repair. It produces two identical daughter cells with the same genetic information as the parent cell. Meiosis, on the other hand, is the process by which gametes (egg and sperm cells) are formed. It results in four haploid cells with different genetic information, which is crucial for sexual reproduction and genetic diversity.