Characteristic Mitosis Meiosis

Cell division for growth, repair, Cell division for the formation of gametes (sperm and
Purpose and asexual reproduction egg) and genetic diversity in sexual reproduction

Number of One division (one round of cell

divisions division) Two divisions (two rounds of cell division)

Two identical diploid daughter

Daughter cells cells Four non-identical haploid daughter cells

Genetic content in daughter

cells is identical to the parent Genetic content in daughter cells is different from the
Genetic variation cell parent cell and from each other

Do not pair and do not

Homologous undergo genetic Pair during meiosis I, undergo genetic recombination
chromosomes recombination (crossing-over)

Ploidy level Diploid → Diploid (2n → 2n) Diploid → Haploid (2n → n)

Number of
daughter cells 2 4
 Characteristic Mitosis Meiosis

Role in Involved in asexual Essential for sexual reproduction and producing

reproduction reproduction and tissue repair genetically diverse offspring

Occurs in Occurs in somatic (body) cells Occurs in specialised cells (sperm and egg)

Meiosis I (Prophase I, Metaphase I, Anaphase I,

Prophase, Metaphase, Telophase I) and Meiosis II (Prophase II, Metaphase II,
Stages Anaphase, Telophase Anaphase II, Telophase II)

Crossover No crossover occurs in mitosis Crossing-over occurs in Prophase I of meiosis

Reduction of No reduction, maintains Reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting

chromosomes diploid number in haploid daughter cells