MITOSIS AND MIEOSIS..

 Mitosis And Meiosis

From an academic perspective, understanding the difference between mitosis and meiosis is crucial. Read on to explore what is mitosis and meiosis, significant similarities and differences between the two:

Meiosis Meiosis is a type of cell division that results in the formation of four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

 

Mitosis Mitosis is the type of cell division that results in the formation of two daughter cells each with the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent cell.

Introduction

In single-celled organisms, cell reproduction gives rise to the next generation. In multicellular organisms, cell division occurs not just to produce a whole new organism but for growth and replacement of worn-out cells within the organisms.

Cell division is always highly regulated and follows a highly orchestrated series of steps. The term cytokinesis refers to the division of a cell in half, while mitosis and meiosis refer to two different forms of nuclear division.

Mitosis results in two nuclei that are identical to the original nucleus. Meiosis, on the other hand, results in four nuclei that each has ½ the chromosomes of the original cell. In animals, meiosis only occurs in the cells that give rise to the sex cells (gametes), i.e., the egg and the sperm.

Differences Between Mitosis and Meiosis

The important difference between mitosis and meiosis are mentioned below:

Difference between Mitosis and Meiosis
Mitosis	Meiosis
Interphase
Each chromosome replicates. The result is two genetically identical sister chromatids (However, do note that interphase is technically not a part of mitosis because it takes place between one mitotic phase and the next)	Chromosomes not yet visible but DNA has been duplicated or replicated
Prophase
Prophase –Each of the duplicated chromosomes appears as two identical or equal sister chromatids, The mitotic spindle begins to form. Chromosomes condense and thicken	Prophase I – crossing-over recombination – Homologous chromosomes (each consists of two sister chromatids) appear together as pairs. Tetrad is the structure that is formed. Segments of chromosomes are exchanged between non-sister chromatids at crossover points known as chiasmata (crossing-over)
Metaphase
Metaphase -The chromosomes assemble at the equator at the metaphase plate	Metaphase I Chromosomes adjust on the metaphase plate. Chromosomes are still intact and arranged as pairs of homologues
Anaphase
Anaphase – The spindle fibres begin to contract. This starts to pull the sister chromatids apart. At the end of anaphase, a complete set of daughter chromosomes is found each pole	Anaphase I Sister chromatids stay intact. However, homologous chromosomes drift to the opposite or reverse poles
Mode of Reproduction
Asexual Reproduction	Sexual Reproduction
Occurrence
All the cells	Reproductive cells
Function
General growth and repair, Cell reproduction	Genetic diversity through sexual reproduction
Cytokinesis
Occurs in Telophase	Occurs in Telophase I and in Telophase II
Discovered by
Walther Flemming	Oscar