Cell division occurs through either mitosis or meiosis. Mitosis produces two identical daughter cells during somatic cell division. It has four phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase. Meiosis produces gametes through two cell divisions that result in four haploid cells each with one copy of each chromosome. Meiosis has two rounds: meiosis I which separates homologous chromosomes, and meiosis II which separates sister chromatids. Both ensure genetic variation between offspring.
Related topics: