What Are the Key Differences Between Mitosis and Meiosis in Tabular Form
Cell division is a fundamental process for life. It is useful not only to generate new cells but also to help in growth and development. This cell division can take place through 2 different modes - Mitosis and Meiosis. We are about to look at a few characteristics, the basic definitions, and the difference between mitosis and meiosis.
Cell reproduction is the process of creating new species using a single-parent cell. However, this process is different in unicellular and multicellular organisms. Unicellular organisms perform cell reproduction or division to generate daughter cells. Multicellular organisms perform cell division to enhance growth and replace worn-out cells from the body.
To put it straight, mitosis creates new body cells, whereas meiosis generates sperm and egg cells.
Mitosis Overview
Cell duplication and distribution is the aim of Mitosis.
This is an asexual mode of reproduction.
Nuclei form in 4 stages namely prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
2 diploid cells are formed.
Spindle fibers disconnect after sister chromatids get separated.
Meiosis Overview
Meiosis is a form of sexual reproduction.
The resulting daughter cells are reduced in their chromosome number by half.
Eukaryotic chromosomes are formed.
Similar to mitosis, S-Phase is dominant in the meiosis form of cell replication.
A cell undergoing meiosis will either become human sperm or an egg.
Differences Between Mitosis and Meiosis in Detail
Mitosis is a core process that replicates all of its content, including duplication of its chromosomes. The result is two identical daughter cells. Mitosis is a critical process to life, and hence this is controlled by several genes.
If the genes are not regulated properly, it might cause serious health issues in humans, such as cancer.
Meiosis, on the other side, will create copies that have the same number of chromosomes in humans (in all generations). Meiosis is a two-step procedure, reducing the chromosome number by half. The result of this process is the formation of egg and sperm cells, with chromosome counts from 46 to 23. This is a reason why the human embryo has 46 chromosomes from birth (conception of egg and sperm). Chances are likely in meiosis to exhibit genetic variations from DNA shuffling.
Following is a table to quickly describe the differences in mitosis vs meiosis.
Difference Between Mitosis and Meiosis Table in Tabulated Form
MITOSIS | MEIOSIS |
During the Interphase stage, genetically identical sister chromosomes formed, due to the replication of each chromosome. | At Interphase, the DNA will be duplicated but the chromosome is not visible. |
Homologous sister chromosomes appear in pairs at Prophase 1. Chiasmata is the term used to refer to the crossing-over of non-sister chromatids. | At Prophase, Mitotic spindle forms after the development of 2 identical sister chromatids. |
Chromosomes get arranged and adjusted with the Metaphase plate. | Chromosomes get organized at the Metaphase plate’s equator. |
At Anaphase, homologous pairs move away as reverse poles. | Contraction of sister fibers being at Anaphase and sets of daughter cells are observed at each pole. |
4 daughter cells with half the count of parent chromosomes. | 2 daughter cells with the same count of parent chromosomes. |
In case of time constraints, students can refer to this table directly. This table will also come in handy while revising the topic. You may get information about many such topics of Biology on Vedantu's website for free.
Similarities Between Mitosis and Meiosis
Apart from its cell division or reproductive processes, there are 3-4 similarities between meiosis and mitosis. DNA synthesis is primarily common to both. If already formed, the cardiac tissues and nervous system cells will never replicate their daughter/sister cells either through meiosis or mitosis. Both these methods of reproduction are visible under an electron microscope.
Fun Facts about Mitosis
Some very interesting facts about Mitosis are given below to make the learning process interesting for you:
Mistakes made during mitotic cell division can result in changes in the DNA
Two genetically identical daughter cells are generated as a result of mitosis
Mitotic cell division takes place in four phases namely
Prophase
Metaphase
Anaphase
Telophase
The structure responsible for moving the chromosomes during the process of mitosis is known as the spindle
Fun facts about Meiosis
Some facts about meiosis that you may find interesting are given below:
Meiotic cell division takes place during reproduction only
Chromosome numbers are halved during meiotic cell division
Every individual is unique due to genetic variation that takes place during meiosis
In meiosis, diploid cells are converted to haploid and again converted back to being diploid.
Even a minor error during the meiotic cell division can result in a permanent impact on human development
A mutation is possible during meiotic cell division
Conclusion
Both mitosis and meiosis have their roles in human development and genetic message transmission. Credits to ‘Walther Flemming’ for the discovery of mitosis and helping new cells grow and nurture. Also, thanks to the brain of Oscar Hertwig for uncovering meiosis and making continuity of required cells possible with definite DNA variants.
FAQs on Difference Between Mitosis and Meiosis in Cell Division
1. What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis?
The main difference between mitosis and meiosis is that mitosis produces two identical diploid cells, while meiosis produces four genetically different haploid cells.
- Mitosis occurs in somatic (body) cells for growth and repair.
- Meiosis occurs in germ cells to form gametes (sperm and egg).
- Mitosis involves one cell division; meiosis involves two successive divisions.
- Meiosis includes crossing over and genetic recombination; mitosis does not.
2. What is mitosis?
Mitosis is a type of cell division that produces two genetically identical diploid daughter cells from one parent cell.
- Occurs in somatic cells.
- Maintains the same chromosome number as the parent cell.
- Includes phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, followed by cytokinesis.
- Responsible for growth, tissue repair, and asexual reproduction.
3. What is meiosis?
Meiosis is a specialized cell division that produces four genetically diverse haploid cells from one diploid cell.
- Occurs in reproductive organs to form gametes.
- Consists of two divisions: Meiosis I and Meiosis II.
- Reduces chromosome number from diploid (2n) to haploid (n).
- Includes crossing over during Prophase I.
4. How many daughter cells are produced in mitosis and meiosis?
Mitosis produces two daughter cells, while meiosis produces four daughter cells.
- In mitosis, the two cells are genetically identical and diploid.
- In meiosis, the four cells are genetically different and haploid.
- Meiosis creates diversity due to independent assortment and crossing over.
5. Why is meiosis important for sexual reproduction?
Meiosis is important for sexual reproduction because it produces haploid gametes and increases genetic variation.
- Reduces chromosome number by half to maintain species chromosome number after fertilization.
- Introduces variation through crossing over.
- Promotes diversity via independent assortment of chromosomes.
6. Does crossing over occur in mitosis or meiosis?
Crossing over occurs in meiosis, specifically during Prophase I of Meiosis I.
- It involves exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes.
- Forms structures called chiasmata.
- Does not normally occur in mitosis.
7. What happens in Meiosis I compared to Meiosis II?
Meiosis I separates homologous chromosomes, while Meiosis II separates sister chromatids.
- Meiosis I is a reduction division (2n → n).
- Crossing over occurs in Prophase I.
- Meiosis II resembles mitosis.
- Results in four haploid cells at the end.
8. In which cells does mitosis and meiosis occur?
Mitosis occurs in somatic cells, while meiosis occurs in germ cells of reproductive organs.
- Mitosis: skin cells, liver cells, muscle cells.
- Meiosis: cells in testes (spermatogenesis) and ovaries (oogenesis).
- Mitosis supports growth and repair.
- Meiosis produces gametes for fertilization.
9. How does mitosis maintain chromosome number?
Mitosis maintains chromosome number by equally separating duplicated sister chromatids into two identical daughter cells.
- DNA replicates during interphase.
- Sister chromatids align at the metaphase plate.
- Chromatids separate during anaphase.
- Each daughter cell receives the same chromosome set.
10. What are the similarities between mitosis and meiosis?
Mitosis and meiosis are both forms of cell division that involve chromosome replication and segregation.
- Both are preceded by DNA replication in interphase.
- Both include stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
- Both use the spindle apparatus to move chromosomes.
- Both ensure proper distribution of genetic material.
