Meiosis vs. Mitosis: The Form

Meiosis vs. Mitosis:

The form of cell division which produces gametes (egg cells and sperms) in humans with reduced or halved number of chromosomes is referred to as meiosis. However, the number of chromosomes is reinstated when two gametes combine to form a zygote. While a cell with two copies of each chromosome is referred to as diploid cell, a cell with one copy of each chromosome is known as a haploid cell. Meiosis produces haploid daughter cells which are genetically different from each other as well as different from the parent cell.

On the other hand, the form of cell division that produces daughter cells which are similar to the parent cell during repair or growth is known as mitosis. In this case, each cell includes the same genetic code as the parent cell due to the fact that it copies its own chromosomes before the cell division. Notably, both meiosis and mitosis are forms of cell division in eukaryotes and are similar in many respects but different in others. The major similarities include the fact that both meiosis and mitosis involve cell division, they have the same processes of division and the fact that they have the same number of chromosomes at first divisions.

Mitosis involves single nuclear division in which the diploid parent cell (two sets of chromosomes) divides once and produces two diploid daughter cells that are genetically identical. On the contrary, meiosis involves two nuclear divisions in which a diploid parent cell divides twice to produce four haploid daughter cells (single set of chromosomes) that are genetically different from each other and from the parent cell. The produced haploid daughter cells then develop further to form gametes (egg & sperm). In summary, meiosis consists of two nuclear divisions whilst mitosis is followed in one division though both of these processes involve the interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase stages.

While mitosis is important in cell growth, tissues repair and several types of cells through asexual reproduction, meiosis is vital in developing the eggs and sperms through sexual reproduction. Whereas mitosis does not produce genetic variability of daughter cells, the several processes in meiosis result in considerable genetic variability. These several processes in meiosis are the independent assortment of chromosomes, crossing over and sperm fertilizing the egg randomly.