Meiosis & Mitosis Compared
- Mitosis and meiosis are both forms of cell division
- They have many similarities and differences that are important for their functions
- Mitosis contributes to the growth of an organism or to replace dead/dying cells
- Meiosis produces genetically different gametes for sexual reproduction
Chromosome Content After Divisions
- The chromosome content of a cell changes throughout mitotic and meiotic divisions
- Mitosis ends with two daughter cells genetically identical to each other and the parent cell
- This is important so that growth and cell replacement can occur within an organism continually
- Every cell in an organism's body (other than gametes) contain exactly the same genetic material - the full genome
- Meiosis ends with four daughter cells all of which contain half the genetic material of the parent cell and are all different from each other and the parent
- This is important for genetic variation within families and the population
- Genetic variation can reduce the risk of inheriting genetic diseases
Mitosis & Meiosis Compared Diagram
The chromosome content changes during mitosis and meiosis
Similarities Between Mitosis & Meiosis Table
| Similarities between mitosis & meiosis |
| Both start from a diploid starting cell |
| Both consist of sequential stages of: prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase |
| In metaphase, chromosomes line up along the cell's equator |
| In anaphase, chromosomes separate to the poles of the cell |
| Both end with cytokinesis |
Differences Between Mitosis & Meiosis Table
| Feature | Mitosis | Meiosis |
| Rounds of cell division | One | Two |
| Number of daughter cells | Two | Four |
| Ploidy of daughter cells | Diploid | Haploid |
| Daughter cells are genetically... | ...identical | ...different |
| Occurrence | In all organisms | In animals, plants, fungi only |
| Cells created | Somatic | Gametes |
| Recombination occurs? | No | Yes |
| Chromosome assortment | None | Independent |
