What are the main differences between mitosis and meiosis in cell division?

Mitosis and meiosis are two types of cell division that are important for growth, repair, and reproduction of living organisms. Mitosis is the process by which a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells, while meiosis is the process by which a single cell divides into four non-identical daughter cells. The main differences between the two types of cell division are as follows:

• Number of divisions: Mitosis involves one division, while meiosis involves two divisions.
• Number of daughter cells: Mitosis produces two identical daughter cells, while meiosis produces four non-identical daughter cells.
• Chromosome number: Mitosis produces daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell, while meiosis reduces the number of chromosomes in the daughter cells by half.
• Crossing-over: Crossing-over, which is the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes, occurs during meiosis but not during mitosis.
• Role: Mitosis is involved in growth, repair, and asexual reproduction, while meiosis is involved in sexual reproduction.

Mitosis and meiosis are two types of cell division that occur in eukaryotic cells. Mitosis results in two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell, while meiosis results in four daughter cells that are genetically different from the parent cell.

Mitosis is a continuous process that can be divided into four stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. During prophase, the chromosomes condense and become visible. The nuclear envelope breaks down, and the spindle fibers form. During metaphase, the chromosomes line up at the center of the cell. During anaphase, the sister chromatids of each chromosome are separated and pulled to opposite poles of the cell. During telophase, the chromosomes decondense, the nuclear envelope reforms, and the spindle fibers disappear.

Meiosis is a two-step process that can be divided into meiosis I and meiosis II. Meiosis I is similar to mitosis, but it is followed by a second division, meiosis II, which results in four daughter cells. During meiosis I, the homologous chromosomes pair up and undergo crossing over, which is a process that results in the exchange of genetic material between the chromosomes. During meiosis II, the chromosomes are separated into two daughter cells, each of which has half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

The main differences between mitosis and meiosis are as follows:

• Mitosis results in two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell, while meiosis results in four daughter cells that are genetically different from the parent cell.
• Mitosis is a continuous process, while meiosis is a two-step process.
• Meiosis includes a process called crossing over, which does not occur during mitosis.

Mitosis is responsible for the growth and repair of tissues in the body, while meiosis is responsible for the production of gametes (sex cells).