Difference Between Mitosis and Meiosis
The process of cell division involves the distribution of a genetic material called DNA to two daughter cells. The DNA is passed on to the next generation. It occurs through two methods. These methods are mainly termed as mitosis and meiosis. Both help in the cells division at different places and for different functions.
During the process of mitosis, a cell divides its contents to form two identical daughter cells. In the process of meiosis, four haploid daughter cells are formed. It is a two way process. Meiosis produces gametes whereas mitosis produces new cells.
Mitosis
In the process of Mitosis two daughter cells are produced which are identical to the parent cell. The daughter cells will be haploid for a haploid parent cell. Diploid daughter cells are formed from diploid parent cells. This division of the cells enables an organism to grow and repair the issue which gets damaged. There are a number of stages in the process of Mitosis such as Inter phase, Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase and Telophase. During the S phase of inter phase, DNA is replicated.
The process of mitosis is also important in asexual reproduction. Mitosis is also called ‘somatic cell division’. It is because it occurs in vegetation cells. Mitosis does not account for creation of variation in generations. Therefore it is suitable for cloning technology. The process mitosis is useful for studying phylogenetic relationships as the complexity does not rise out of multiple endosymbiosis. Major disadvantage of mitosis is uncontrollable cell divisions producing cancerous tissues.
Meiosis
Meiosis is a process of cell division which is useful in sexual reproduction. It forms haploid gametes which form the zygote. As the gametes are haploid, it allows variations in the generations.
Recombination is common in the process of meiosis helping further studies on localization of gene and its mapping methods. The process of Meiosis involves two cell divisions which results in four haploid gametes. It is helpful in repairing DNA during multiplication process. The steps involved in the process of Meosis include Interphase, Prophase I, Metaphase I, Anaphase I, Telophase I, Prophase II, Metaphase II, Anaphase II and Telophase II.