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9 Differences Between Mitosis and Meiosis

July 6, 2022

Mitosis and meiosis are two types of cell division. Mitosis produces two identical daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell, while meiosis produces four haploid daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. Mitosis is cell division for growth and repair, while meiosis is cell division for sexual reproduction.

Table of Contents

Mitosis vs Meiosis

Here are the main differences between Mitosis and Meiosis:

1. Number of Daughter cells

Mitosis	Meiosis
It results in 2 daughter cells.	It results in 4 daughter cells.

2. Number of chromosomes in daughter cell

Mitosis	Meiosis
The daughter cell contains a diploid number of chromosomes, as in the parent cell.	The daughter cell contains a haploid number of chromosomes, half of the parent cell.

image showing no. of chromosomes in daughter cells.

3. Occurrence of Crossing over

Mitosis	Meiosis
No crossing over occurs during mitotic cell division.	Crossing-over occurs in meiosis, chromosomes exchange their segments with each other. It produces a large number of genetic combinations.

image showing crossing over — what is crossing over?

4. Synapsis

Mitosis	Meiosis
Synapsis does not occur in mitosis.	Synapsis occurs in meiosis. This results in maximum cross-over of the homologous chromosome.

5. Number of cell divisions:

Mitosis	Meiosis
It involves single cell division.	It involves two cell divisions, meiosis I & meiosis II.

image showing stagesof mitosis and meiosis

6. Parent-offspring similarity

Mitosis	Meiosis
Daughter cells are genetically identical to their parent.	Daughter cells are not identical to their parents. They show variations.

7. Type of cells being generated by Mitosis and Meiosis

Mitosis	Meiosis
It produces all types of body cells other than gametes sperm and egg.	It only produces gametes, sperm and egg.

8. Mode of Reproduction

Mitosis	Meiosis
It occurs during asexual reproduction.	It occurs during sexual reproduction, as gametes are formed by meiosis.

9. Occurrence of cytokinesis

Mitosis	Meiosis
Cytokinesis occurs in the telophase of mitosis.	In meiosis, cytokinesis occurs in telophase I and telophase II.

image showing process of cytokinesis during meiosis and mitosis

Related FAQs

What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis?

Meiosis involves two divisions and produces four daughter cells, while mitosis involves only one division and produces two daughter cells. Meiosis is called the reduction phase as chromosome number becomes half in the daughter cell, and in mitosis, the number of chromosomes doubles.

What is the mode of reproduction of mitosis?

Mitosis occurs in asexual reproduction. It occurs during the growth and repairing phase.

Which cell division produces gametes?

Haploid gametes are produced through meiosis.

In which phase of cell division crossing over occurs?

Crossing over occurs during the metaphase of Meiosis I when homologous chromosomes line up.

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9 Differences Between Mitosis and Meiosis