Mitosis and Meiosis: Differences

Mitosis:
Mitosis is a type of cell division that occurs in somatic cells, which are non-reproductive cells. It is responsible for the growth, development, and maintenance of multicellular organisms. Mitosis results in the production of two genetically identical daughter cells, each containing the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

Process:
1. Interphase: The cell undergoes normal metabolic activities and prepares for division.
2. Prophase: Chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, and the nuclear envelope breaks down.
3. Metaphase: Chromosomes align at the center of the cell, forming the metaphase plate.
4. Anaphase: Sister chromatids separate and move towards opposite poles of the cell.
5. Telophase: Chromosomes reach the poles, and new nuclear envelopes form around each set of chromosomes.
6. Cytokinesis: The cell divides into two daughter cells, each with an identical set of chromosomes.

Key Points:
- Mitosis occurs in somatic cells.
- It results in the production of two daughter cells.
- The daughter cells are genetically identical to the parent cell.
- The chromosome number remains the same in the daughter cells.
- Mitosis is involved in growth, tissue repair, and asexual reproduction in some organisms.

Meiosis:
Meiosis is a type of cell division that occurs in reproductive cells, such as gametes (sperm and egg cells). It is responsible for the production of haploid cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. Meiosis involves two rounds of cell division, resulting in the production of four non-identical daughter cells.

Process:
1. Interphase: The cell undergoes normal metabolic activities and prepares for division.
2. Meiosis I: The first round of division.
a. Prophase I: Chromosomes condense, homologous chromosomes pair up, and crossing over occurs.
b. Metaphase I: Homologous pairs align at the metaphase plate.
c. Anaphase I: Homologous chromosomes separate and move towards opposite poles.
d. Telophase I: Chromosomes reach the poles, and new nuclear envelopes form around each set.
e. Cytokinesis: The cell divides into two daughter cells.
3. Meiosis II: The second round of division, similar to mitosis.
a. Prophase II: Chromosomes condense, and the nuclear envelope breaks down.
b. Metaphase II: Chromosomes align at the metaphase plate.
c. Anaphase II: Sister chromatids separate and move towards opposite poles.
d. Telophase II: Chromosomes reach the poles, and new nuclear envelopes form around each set.
e. Cytokinesis: The cell divides into two daughter cells, resulting in a total of four daughter cells.

Key Points:
- Meiosis occurs in reproductive cells.
- It results in the production of four non-identical daughter cells.
- The daughter cells have half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
- Meiosis is involved in sexual reproduction and creates genetic diversity through crossing over and independent assortment of chromosomes.