Mitosis vs. Meiosis — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 6, 2024
Mitosis involves a single cell division that results in two identical daughter cells, while meiosis consists of two successive divisions, producing four genetically distinct gametes.
Difference Between Mitosis and Meiosis
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Mitosis is a fundamental process of cell division that results in the production of two identical daughter cells from a single parent cell. Meiosis, on the other hand, is a specialized form of cell division that produces reproductive cells, such as sperm and eggs, in sexually reproducing organisms.
Mitosis occurs in somatic (non-reproductive) cells, facilitating growth and tissue repair. Meiosis, however, is limited to germ cells, which are cells in the reproductive organs that go on to form gametes.
Mitosis maintains genetic continuity by producing cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell. In contrast, meiosis introduces genetic variation through the mechanisms of crossing over, where homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material, and independent assortment, where the distribution of chromosomes to daughter cells is random.
The significance of mitosis and meiosis extends beyond their immediate outcomes in cell division. Mitosis is essential for the survival and health of the organism, while meiosis underpins reproduction and the genetic diversity that is crucial for evolution and adaptation.
Comparison Chart
Number of Divisions
1
2
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Resulting Cells
2 daughter cells
4 gametes
Genetic Makeup
Identical to parent cell
Genetically distinct from parent cell
Role in Organism
Growth, repair, asexual reproduction
Sexual reproduction, genetic diversity
Chromosome Number
Maintained
Halved
Compare with Definitions
Mitosis
A cell division process producing two identical cells.
Mitosis allows a single fertilized egg to develop into a multicellular organism.
Meiosis
Crucial for evolutionary adaptation.
The genetic diversity resulting from meiosis allows populations to adapt to changing environments.
Mitosis
Does not involve genetic variation.
Mitosis produces cells for tissue repair without altering the tissue's genetic makeup.
Meiosis
A two-stage cell division process creating four unique gametes.
Meiosis is responsible for producing sperm and eggs for sexual reproduction.
Mitosis
Ensures genetic consistency across somatic cells.
When you cut your finger, mitosis replaces the damaged cells with identical ones.
Meiosis
Produces cells used in sexual reproduction.
The fusion of gametes from two parents during fertilization results in genetic variation among offspring.
Mitosis
Involves phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
During metaphase of mitosis, chromosomes line up at the cell's equator.
Meiosis
Reduces the chromosome number by half.
Human cells undergo meiosis to produce gametes with 23 chromosomes each.
Mitosis
Essential for asexual reproduction.
Organisms like amoebas use mitosis for reproduction, resulting in genetically identical offspring.
Meiosis
Increases genetic diversity through crossing over and independent assortment.
Crossing over during meiosis I allows for the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes.
Mitosis
In cell biology, mitosis () is a part of the cell cycle in which replicated chromosomes are separated into two new nuclei. Cell division gives rise to genetically identical cells in which the total number of chromosomes is maintained.
Meiosis
Meiosis ( (listen); from Greek μείωσις, meiosis, meaning "lessening", because it is a reductional division) is a special type of cell division of germ cells in sexually-reproducing organisms used to produce the gametes, such as sperm or egg cells. It involves two rounds of division that ultimately result in four cells with only one copy of each chromosome (haploid).
Mitosis
A type of cell division that results in two daughter cells each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus, typical of ordinary tissue growth
The single large egg cell subdivides by repeated mitosis
Each mitosis seems to be associated with an increase in calcium
Meiosis
(Genetics) The process of cell division in sexually reproducing organisms that reduces the number of chromosomes from diploid to haploid, as in the production of gametes.
Mitosis
The process in cell division by which the nucleus divides, typically consisting of four stages, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, and normally resulting in two new nuclei, each of which contains a complete copy of the parental chromosomes.Also called karyokinesis.
Meiosis
Rhetorical understatement.
Mitosis
The entire process of cell division including division of the nucleus and the cytoplasm.
Meiosis
A figure of speech whereby something is made to seem smaller or less important than it actually is.
Mitosis
(cytology) The division of a cell nucleus in which the genome is copied and separated into two identical halves. It is normally followed by cell division.
Meiosis
Cell division of a diploid cell into four haploid cells, which develop to produce gametes.
Mitosis
See Karyokinesis.
Meiosis
Diminution; a species of hyperbole, representing a thing as being less than it really is; understatement; see also litotes.
Mitosis
Cell division in which the nucleus divides into nuclei containing the same number of chromosomes
Meiosis
The cellular process by which a diploid progenitor cell forms haploid gametes, including a division of one diploid cell into two cells, each with one of the homologous sets of chromosomes.
Meiosis
(genetics) cell division that produces reproductive cells in sexually reproducing organisms; the nucleus divides into four nuclei each containing half the chromosome number (leading to gametes in animals and spores in plants)
Meiosis
Understatement for rhetorical effect (especially when expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary);
Saying `I was not a little upset' when you mean `I was very upset' is an example of litotes
Common Curiosities
What is the purpose of mitosis in multicellular organisms?
Mitosis is essential for growth, cellular repair, and asexual reproduction in multicellular organisms.
How does meiosis contribute to genetic diversity?
Meiosis introduces genetic diversity through crossing over and independent assortment, leading to gametes that are genetically distinct from each other and from the parent cells.
Can mitosis occur in all types of cells?
Mitosis occurs in somatic cells, which are all cells of the body except for germ cells that undergo meiosis.
What mechanisms in meiosis increase genetic variation?
Crossing over (the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes) and independent assortment (random distribution of chromosomes to gametes) both increase genetic variation.
Can mitosis and meiosis occur in the same organism?
Yes, organisms that reproduce sexually use mitosis for growth and tissue maintenance, and meiosis for producing gametes.
What role does mitosis play in cancer?
Uncontrolled mitosis can lead to cancer, where cells divide uncontrollably, forming tumors.
How does sexual reproduction benefit from meiosis?
Sexual reproduction benefits from the genetic diversity generated by meiosis, contributing to the evolutionary adaptability of species.
Why is meiosis II necessary?
Meiosis II is necessary to separate sister chromatids, ensuring each gamete receives one complete set of chromosomes.
How do organisms benefit from having two types of cell division processes?
Having both processes allows organisms to grow and repair tissues efficiently through mitosis, while also enabling genetic diversity and sexual reproduction through meiosis.
Why is it important that meiosis reduces the chromosome number by half in gametes?
This reduction ensures that when gametes fuse during fertilization, the resulting offspring have the correct number of chromosomes, maintaining the species' chromosome number across generations.
How do the outcomes of mitosis and meiosis differ in terms of chromosome number?
Mitosis results in daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell, while meiosis produces cells with half the chromosome number.
What is the significance of crossing over in meiosis?
Crossing over enhances genetic diversity, ensuring that each gamete carries a unique set of genetic information.
How are identical twins related to mitosis and meiosis?
Identical twins result from the splitting of a single fertilized egg, which initially divides by mitosis, indicating that their genetic similarity is due to mitosis rather than meiosis.
What is an example of a cell that undergoes mitosis?
Skin cells undergoing repair after an injury undergo mitosis to replace damaged cells.
What is the difference in genetic composition between daughter cells produced by mitosis and meiosis?
Daughter cells from mitosis are genetically identical to each other and the parent cell, while those from meiosis are genetically unique.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
