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Comparison of Mitosis and Meiosis

As you may already know, cells need to divide in order to replace old and damaged cells. However, did you know that there are different types of cell division? Mitosis and meiosis are both processes of cell division

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Comparison of Mitosis and Meiosis

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As you may already know, cells need to divide in order to replace old and damaged cells. However, did you know that there are different types of cell division? Mitosis and meiosis are both processes of cell division.

Mitosis produces identical daughter cells (with the same number of chromosomes) for growth or asexual reproduction. Meiosis, on the other hand, produces gametes for sexual reproduction by making genetically different daughter cells (with half the number of chromosomes). So, let's do a comparison of mitosis and meiosis!

  • First, we will compare mitosis and meiosis on the basis of purpose.
  • Then, we will look at the different stages of mitosis and meiosis.
  • Lastly we will make a table to compare mitosis and meiosis.

Mitosis and Meiosis: Comparison of Purpose

To understand the differences between these two similar-sounding processes of cell division, which is the production of two or more daughter cells from a parent cell, it is important to note the purpose of mitosis and meiosis.

Mitosis and meiosis are both part of the cell division cycle in which the genetic material is divided in a process known as nuclear division.

Cytokinesis is the division of the cytoplasm, which follows the copying (interphase) and splitting of the genetic material (mitosis or meiosis), so that each new daughter cell has the appropriate number of chromosomes.

The purpose of mitosis

Nuclear division may be the shared purpose of mitosis and meiosis, but each has its separate purposes as well. Mitosis has multiple uses in organisms including:

  • Making more cells for growth,

  • Replacing old, worn out, or damaged cells,

  • Asexual reproduction, where organisms produce genetically identical offspring.

Some animals, plants, fungi, and most single-celled organisms can use mitosis for asexual reproduction. If you followed our article on "Heredity" you might remember that asexual reproduction via mitosis produces clones, meaning organisms have the same genetic makeup as their parents. Reproduction via mitosis provides less genetic diversification.

Although not something humans can do, regeneration of limbs is something that scientists have been studying for some time in the animal kingdom. Animals such as the axolotl, an aquatic salamander native to Mexico, can produce new limbs after loss.

Regrowth through mitosis is especially important. After division, cells de-differentiate or lose their specific cell identity (i.e. skin cells) to become stem cells, which are cells that can become many types of cells with specific functions.

Scientists study frogs, starfish, axolotls, and more to understand how this growth and de-differentiation process works for potential medical science applications.

The purpose of meiosis

The purpose of meiosis is to produce gametes (sex cells) in sexually reproducing organisms. Females have egg cells, and males have sperm.

  • Egg cells are produced in the ovaries, whereas sperm cells develop in the testes.

The product of meiosis is four haploid daughter cells. These haploid cells are genetically different from the parent cell and contain half the normal chromosome number (n) of typical cells.

When sexual reproduction occurs, the two haploid (n) cells come together to form a zygote, which is diploid and has two sets of chromosomes.

Gametes are mature haploid cells that are able to unite with a haploid cell of the opposite sex in order to form a zygote.

The Stages of Mitosis and Meiosis

The stages of mitosis and meiosis have the same names: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, which are all followed by cytokinesis.

In meiosis, two rounds of division take place, so meiosis is split into meiosis I and meiosis II. The names of each stage within meiosis I or II also have an "I or II" placed at the end of their names (i.e., prophase I or prophase II).

Comparison of Mitosis and Meiosis mitosis steps StudySmarter

Figure 1. Steps of mitosis and meiosis. Source: LadyofHats via commons.wikimedia.org

Interphase

Before the start of mitosis and meiosis, DNA duplication occurs during interphase to prepare for nuclear division.

Note: DNA duplication DOES NOT occur in between meiosis I and meiosis II, only before meiosis I.

Prophase

During prophase, in mitosis and meiosis (I & II), the following occur:

  1. The nuclear envelope dissolves.

  2. The centrosomes begin to migrate towards opposite poles.

  3. The production of spindle fibers starts.

  4. The chromosomes condense.

In meiosis I of meiosis, however, the homologous chromosomes form a tetrad, consisting of four chromatids, in which the non-identical chromosomes swap genetic material in a process known as crossing over. This does not happen during meiosis II or mitosis.

Metaphase

During metaphase in mitosis and meiosis, chromosomes line up at the metaphase plate. One difference is that, in meiosis I, chromosomes actually line up side-by-side to prepare for the homologous chromosomes to be separated. In mitosis and meiosis II, however, chromosomes line up single file at the plate.

Anaphase

During anaphase in mitosis and meiosis, chromosomes are pulled to opposite poles via the spindle fibers. They are attached at a point on the chromatids known as the kinetochore. During mitosis and meiosis II, sister chromatids are separated. Meiosis II still produces haploid cells, however, because homologous chromosomes are separated during anaphase I of meiosis I.

Telophase

During telophase, the nuclear envelope starts to reform, and chromosomes decondense. A cleavage furrow, the indentation of the cell membrane, begins to form. At the conclusion of telophase in mitosis, the two daughter cells will be diploid and genetically identical to the parent cell. At the end of telophase II in meiosis, there will be four haploid daughter cells.

These similarities take into the cell division in animal cells, which have centrosomes and a cleavage furrow. In plant cells, the spindle is said to originate from a microtubule-organizing center, and a cell plate forms instead of a cleavage furrow.

Summary of Mitosis and Meiosis Comparison

So far, we have gone over some important facts about the similarities and differences between mitosis and meiosis. Below, a figure highlights the nuclear (chromosomal) differences at the end of meiosis and mitosis (Fig. 2) and the table summarizes what we have discussed (Table 1).

Comparison of Mitosis and Meiosis Diagram

Comparison of Mitosis and Meiosis Diagram comparing mitosis and meiosis StudySmarter Figure 2 Diagram showing basic steps of mitosis and meiosis. Source: StudySmarter Originals.

Mitosis and Meiosis Comparison Table

Lastly, let's make a table to compare mitosis and meiosis!

Point of comparisonMitosisMeiosis
Purpose Mitosis, or producing new daughter cells from a parent cell, is for growth, replacing old cells, and asexual reproduction. Meiosis is for sexual reproduction, it produces gametes.
ResultMitosis produces two diploid (2n) daughter cells from one parent cell. Daughter cells are genetically identical to their parent. Meiosis produces four haploid (n) daughter cells that are genetically different and have half the chromosome number as their parent cell.
Place Mitosis occurs in body or somatic cells. Meiosis occurs in reproductive cells (germ cells).
Duplication eventsMitosis has one DNA duplication event in interphase before the start. Meiosis also has one DNA duplication event before the start of
Number of nuclear divisionsMitosis has one nuclear division or one division of the genetic material.Meiosis has two nuclear divisions one during meiosis I and one during meiosis II.
Number of cytoplasmic divisions Mitosis has one cytoplasmic division after telophase. Meiosis has two cytoplasmic divisions, one after meiosis I, and one after meiosis II.
Genetic variationMitosis produces daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell. During meiosis, cross-over events between chromosomes occur, meaning genetically different daughter cells are produced.
Diploid versus haploidMitosis produces two diploid (2n) daughter cells from one diploid (2n) parent cell. Meiosis produces four haploid (n) daughter cells from one diploid (2n) parent cell.
Types of organisms All eukaryotic organisms, whether they are single-celled or multicellular. Sexually reproducingplants, animals, and fungi.

Table 1: A comparison of the similarities and differences between mitosis and meiosis.

Comparison of Mitosis and Meiosis - Key takeaways

  • Mitosis produces body cells that can be used for growth, replacing old cells and asexual reproduction.
  • Meiosis produces sex cells or gametes that are used in sexual reproduction.
  • During mitosis two diploid (2n) daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell are produced.
  • During meiosis four haploid (n) daughter cells that are genetically different from the parent cell are produced.
  • Mitosis and meiosis are processes of cell division.

Frequently Asked Questions about Comparison of Mitosis and Meiosis

Similarities between mitosis and meiosis include: 

  • both are processes of cell division or the creation of daughter cells from a parent cell
  • both go through the phases: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase and cytokinesis
  • both use most of the same machinery of cell division including centrosomes, spindle fibers, etc.


Differences between mitosis and meiosis include:

  • Meiosis is used in sexual reproduction to make four haploid (n) daughter cells from one parent cell. 
  • Mitosis is used for growth, replacing old cells, and asexual reproduction. One parent cell makes more 
  • Meiosis happens in two stages, or two rounds of division, known as meiosis I and meiosis II. Mitosis only involves one round of division, or division of the cytoplasm.
  • During meiosis, crossing over occurs, which increases the genetic variation of gametes. This does not happen in mitosis. 

The result of mitosis is two diploid (2n) daughter cells genetically identical to the parent cell. 

The result of meiosis is four haploid (n) daughter cells genetically different from the parent cell. 

Both mitosis and meiosis are mechanisms of cell division. They do, however, have different purposes. Mitosis is used for growth (of tissues, etc.), replacing old cells, and for asexual reproduction, or reproduction with one parent. Meiosis produces sex cells or gametes, which are used in sexual reproduction.

Six of the main differences between mitosis and meiosis are: 

  1. Purpose: Mitosis is for growth, replacing old cells, and asexual reproduction. Meiosis is for sexual reproduction.
  2. Place: Mitosis occurs in body or somatic cells. Meiosis occurs in reproductive cells (germ cells). 
  3. Result: Mitosis produces two diploid (2n) daughter cells from one parent cell. Meiosis produces four haploid (n) daughter cells that have half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell and are sex cells or gametes.
  4. Number of cytoplasmic divisions: Mitosis has only one cytoplasmic division. Meiosis has two, one after meiosis I and meiosis II. 
  5. Nuclear divisions: Just like cytoplasmic divisions, mitosis only has one. Meiosis has two that precede the two cytoplasmic divisions.
  6. Genetic variation: Cells produced during mitosis are genetically identical to the parent cell. During meiosis, crossing over among chromosomes takes place (something that does NOT happen in mitosis), introducing genetic variation into the daughter cells. 

Test your knowledge with multiple choice flashcards

When does crossing over occur? I. During prophase of mitosis and meiosisII. During prophase I of meiosis IIII. During metaphase II of meiosis II

What kinds of organisms carry out meiosis? 

Which of the following is NOT a similarity between mitosis and meiosis?

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