Mitosis versus meiosis

Cells divide and reproduce in two ways, mitosis and meiosis. Mitosis results in two identical daughter cells, whereas meiosis results in four sex cells. Below we highlight the keys differences and similarities between the two types of cell division.

Differences

Mitosis

Involves one cell division
Results in two daughter cells
Results in diploid daughter cells (chromosome number remains the same as parent cell)
Daughter cells are genetically identical
Occurs in all organisms except viruses
Creates all body cells (somatic) apart from the germ cells (eggs and sperm)
Prophase is much shorter
No recombination/crossing over occurs in prophase.
In metaphase individual chromosomes (pairs of chromatids) line up along the equator
During anaphase the sister chromatids are separated to opposite poles

Meiosis

Involves two successive cell divisions
Results in four daughter cells
Results in haploid daughter cells (chromosome number is halved from the parent cell)
Daughter cells are genetically different
Occurs only in animals, plants and fungi
Creates germ cells (eggs and sperm) only
Prophase I takes much longer
Involves recombination/crossing over of chromosomes in prophase I
In metaphase I pairs of chromosomes line up along the equator
During anaphase I the sister chromatids move together to the same pole
During anaphase II the sister chromatids are separated to opposite poles

Similarities

Mitosis

Diploid parent cell
Consists of interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase
In metaphase individual chromosomes (pairs of chromatids) line up along the equator
During anaphase the sister chromatids are separated to opposite poles
Ends with cytokinesis

Meiosis

Diploid parent cell
Consists of interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase (but twice!)
In metaphase II individual chromosomes (pairs of chromatids) line up along the equator
During anaphase II the sister chromatids are separated to opposite poles
Ends with cytokinesis

This page was last updated on 2023-01-13