Learn about the seven most common meiosis and mitosis differences with our complete guide to differences and similarities between mitosis and meiosis and more

1. Top 7 Meiosis And Mitosis Differences
Meiosis and mitosis are the two important processes that are responsible for
the continuity of life but did you know that both processes have some
similarities and some distinct differences as well? Well, you are in luck
because we have covered meiosis and mitosis differences and similarities in
detail for you. So, keep reading for some interesting information:
What Is Mitosis And Meiosis?
Mitosis and meiosis are two major types of cell division. Normally, whenever
someone talks about cell division, they are referring to mitosis. Mitosis is
the procedure by which new body cells are made. On the contrary, Meiosis is
a kind of cell division with which sperm and egg cells are made.

2. Cell division is the process that is responsible for the growth and
reproduction of organisms. New cells in any eukaryotic cell are produced
because of mitosis and meiosis, both of which are similar in some aspects
but also different at the same time. Both mitosis and meiosis involve a
diploid cell being divided, or a cell with two sets of chromosomes with each
chromosome coming from each parent.
The DNA which is the genetic material duplicates and then gets divided
equally between two cells in mitosis. The cell which gets divided undergoes a
sequential series of steps which are collectively called the cell cycle. Mitosis
starts with specific signals or growth factors that show that new cells need
to be produced and then the somatic cells present in the body replicate.
Somatic cells include skin cells, fat cells, blood cells, or any other kind of
cells that are not sex cells. Mitosis is needed to replace damage d cells, cells
with short life spans, or dead cells.
Meiosis, on the other hand, is involved in the generation of gametes in
organisms that are capable of reproducing sexually. The gametes (sex cells)
are created in female and male gonads and they have 50 percent of
chromosomes. Thanks to genetic recombination, new combinations of genes
get introduced in a population during meiosis. Thus, meiosis produces four
cells, all of which are genetically different.
What Are Some Meiosis And Mitosis Differences?
Let’s see how meiosis and mitosis differ from each other:
1. Cell Division
In mitosis, a somatic cell undergoes division only once and cytoplasm is
divided when telophase ends (Cytokinesis).

3. In meiosis, a reproductive cell undergoes division twice and the cytoplasm is
divided when telophase I and telophase II end.
2. Daughter Cell Number
In mitosis, there is a production of two daughter cells and both cells are
diploid with equal chromosomes.
In meiosis, however, there is a production of four daughter cells, and each
cell is haploid with one-half of chromosomes as compared to the original
cell.
3. Genetic Composition
In mitosis, the daughter cells are clones of each other genetically and there
is no crossing over or recombination.
In meiosis, the daughter cells are different from each other genetically
because of the random segregation of homologous chromosomes that occurs
because of crossing over.
4. Length of Prophase
In mitosis, the chromatin condenses into discrete chromosomes during the
first stage called prophase. Cells normally spend less time in prophase in the
case of mitosis as compared to the prophase I of meiosis which is quite
longer than mitosis’s prophase.
In the case of meiosis, the very first stage is prophase I and it spans over 5
long stages which makes it longer than the prophase of mitosis. The meiotic
prophase I consists of the following stages: leptotene, zygotene, pachytene,

4. diplotene, and diakinesis and these do not happen in mitosis. Crossing over
and genetic recombination happens during prophase I in meiosis.
5. Tetrad Formation
There is no tetrad formation in mitotic cell division. However, in meiosis,
during prophase I, homologous chromosomes line up closely together in
pairs to create a tetrad which has two sets of sister chromatids or four
chromatids.
6. The Alignment of Chromosomes in Metaphase
In mitosis the sister chromatids that are essentially just duplicated
chromosomes made of two identical chromosomes attached to each other
through the centromere region, align next to one another at the metaphase
plate. While in meiosis the homologous chromosome pa irs, known as tetrads,
align next to each other at the metaphase plate during metaphase I.
7. Separation of Chromosomes
In mitosis, the sister chromatids separate from each other in anaphase and
migrate towards the opposite opposites of the cell they are in. The
separated chromatids are known as daughter chromosomes individually and
as a full chromosome when together, respe ctively.In meiosis, during
anaphase I the homologous chromosomes migrate but do not separate
during anaphase I.
Is Meiosis 1 The Same As Mitosis?
There are both differences and similarities between mitosis and meiosis.
Both are similar in some ways for ex ample both are cell divisions and both

5. involve a parent cell creating two identical daughter cells. Meiosis starts
after one round of DNA replication in the cells of female or male sex organs.
Meiosis is divided into two parts known as meiosis I and meiosi s II,
respectively. Meiosis I involves cell division that is unique only to germ cells.
However, it is the second stage called meiosis II which is the same mitosis.
Similarities Between Mitosis and Meiosis
Now, that we have discussed the differences between the two types of cell
divisions let’s see how both processes are similar to each other:
• Both mitosis and meiosis play a role in the reproduction of
multicellular living beings and start from a diploid parent cell.
• Both have similar major steps, including the interphase, prophase,
metaphase, telophase, and anaphase, respectively.
• Mitosis has a similar procedure to that of meiosis II.
• Sister chromatids separate to opposite poles in mitosis’ anaphase and
meiosis’s anaphase II.
• Both procedures end in the division of the cytoplasm.
Summing It Up
The meiosis and mitosis differences are quite easy to understand as both
serve different purposes but the two are also quite similar t o each other at
the same time. While one (meiosis) is involved in genetic divisions, the other
is more focused (mitosis) on the development and growth of cells. Moreover,
meiosis is also very instrumental when it comes to the repairing of genetic
defects in germline cells which is important for the continuity of life.