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:

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.

Also Read:

• Difference Between Chromosome and Chromatin
• Cell Division: Mitosis and Meiosis
• Difference between Anaphase I and Anaphase II