Question

Distinguish between Mitosis and meiosis.

Answer 1

Mitosis:

• In mitosis the chromosome number does not change. Diploid cells remain diploid, without change.
• One cell gives rise to two daughter cells in mitosis.
• Karyokinesis of mitosis has four stages, viz. prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase.
• Prophase of mitosis is not lengthy.
• Genetic recombination does not happen in mitosis as there is no crossing over.
• Mitosis is essential for growth and development.
• Mitosis takes place both in somatic cells and germinal cells.

meiosis:

• In meiosis, the chromosome number is reduced to half. The diploid cells become haploid.
• One cell gives rise to four daughter cells in meiosis.
• Meiosis has two major stages, viz. meiosis-I and meiosis-II. Each is further subdivided into prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase.
• Prophase of meiosis-I is very lengthy.
• Genetic recombination takes place in homologous chromosomes as there is crossing over during prophase-I.
• Meiosis is essential for formation of gametes in sexual reproduction.
• Meiosis takes place in only germinal cells. It does not take place in somatic cells.