Question
Distinguish between: Mitosis and meiosis.

Answer

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.

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