Difference between the initial stages of mitosis and meiosis:
Mitosis prophase
1. In this, all the chromosomes are scattered and there is no pairing between homologous chromosomes.
2. Each chromosome has two chromatids.
3. In this the processes of crossing over, chiasmata and terminalisation take place.
4. Genes are not exchanged.
5. This stage is not very long as compared to meiosis.
Meiosis prophase
1. Pairing occurs in homologous chromosomes.
2. Each pair of chromosomes has four chromatids.
3. Crossing over, chiasmata and terminalisation does not happen.
4. Genes are exchanged.
5. It is long. It consists of leptotene, zygotene, pachytene, diplotene and diakinesis stages.