Meiosis vs Mitosis - Difference and Comparison

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	Meiosis	Mitosis
Number of Divisions:	2 nuclear and cytoplasmic divisions	1 division of the nucleus in Cytokinesis
Definition:	A type of cellular reproduction in which the number of chromosomes are reduced by half through the separation of homologous chromosomes in a diploid cell.	A process of asexual reproduction in which the cell divides in two producing a replica (exact copy) with an equal number of chromosomes (One cell becomes two)
Chromosome Number:	Reduced by half (homologous pairs separate)	Remains the same
Function:	sexual reproduction	Cellular (asexual) Reproduction (cell division during which the cell nucleus divides); general growth and repair of the body
Type of Reproduction:	Sexual	Asexual
Discovered by:	Oscar Hertwig	Walther Flemming
Creates:	Sex cells only	Makes everything other than sex cells (Somatic Cells)
Haploidy or Diploidy of Resulting Cells:	Only in Diploid	Either
Occurrence of Crossing Over:	Yes	No
Pairing of Homologues:	Yes	No
Number of Cells produced:	4	2
Genetically:	different	identical
Produces:	four haploid daughter cells	two diploid daughter cells
Occurs in:	Humans, animals, plants	all organisms
Steps:	The steps of meiosis are Prophase I, Metaphase I, Anaphase I, Telophase I, Prophase II, Metaphase II, Anaphase II and Telophase II.	The steps of mitosis are Interphase, Preprophase, Prophase, Prometaphase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase and Cytokinesis

Mitosis is a type of cellular reproduction where a cell will produce an identical replica of itself with the same number and patterns of genes and chromosomes.

Meiosis, on the other hand, is a special process in cellular division where cells are created containing gene patterns of different types and combinations with 50% of the number of chromosomes of the original cell.

Meiosis is used in sexual reproduction of organisms to combine male and female, through the spermazoa and egg, to create a new, singular biological organism. Mitosis is used by single celled organisms to reproduce, or in the organic growth of tissues, fibers, and mibranes.

1 Mitosis vs. Meiosis: Process Differences
- 1.1 Different Stages of Mitosis and Meiosis
2 Mitosis vs Meiosis - Differences in Purpose
3 Significance of Mitosis vs. Meiosis
4 Occurs in
5 History
6 Evolution of mitosis vs. meiosis
7 Chromosomal pattern comparison
8 See Also
9 References

[edit] Mitosis vs. Meiosis: Process Differences

Mitosis is a method of reproduction for single celled organisms that reproduce asexually. An identical version of the organism is created through splitting of the cell in two. Meiosis may result in millions of spermazoa and egg cells with unique genetic patterns. The mating of the two cells formed by meiosis results in a unique genetic offspring of the same species. Meiosis is a major factor in evolution, natural selection, and biodiversity. The processes of cellular division shown in mitosis and meiosis are present in all manner of life forms including humans, animals, plants, fungi, and single celled organisms and species. Essentially any cell based organism of which all organic life is based will exhibit some form of mitosis and meiosis for growth and reproduction of the individual and species.

[edit] Different Stages of Mitosis and Meiosis

Mitosis: Interphase- Preprophase- Prophase - Prometaphase - Metaphase- Anaphase -Telophase -Cytokinesis.

Meiosis: Prophase - Metaphase - Anaphase - Telophase.

[edit] Mitosis vs Meiosis - Differences in Purpose

Both Meiosis and Mitosis are found in complex organisms which reproduce sexually. Mitosis may be used for human growth, the replenishment of depleted organs and tissues, healing, and sustenance of the body. Identical versions of cells can be created to form tissues through Mitosis. Meiosis is a special process reserved for the creation of the egg and sperm cells. The same patterns may be found in many species of plant and animal cell reproduction.

[edit] Significance of Mitosis vs. Meiosis

The importance of mitosis is the maintenance of the chromosomal set; each cell formed receives chromosomes that are alike in composition and equal in number to the chromosomes of the parent cell.

[edit] Occurs in

Meiosis is found to occur in Human, animals, plants while Mitosis is found in single-cell species as well.

[edit] History

Meiosis was discovered and described for the first time in sea urchin eggs in 1876, by noted German biologist Oscar Hertwig.

Walther Flemming discovered the process of Mitosis in 1882.

[edit] Evolution of mitosis vs. meiosis

Mitosis as a form of reproduction for single-cell organisms originated with life itself (around 4 billion years ago). Meiosis is thought to have appeared 1.4 billion years ago.

[edit] Chromosomal pattern comparison

In mitosis, each daughter cell ends up with two complete sets of chromosomes while in meiosis, each daughter cell ends up with one set of chromosomes.

Both mitosis and meiosis are studied by scientists generally by using a microscope to identify and classify chromosomal patterns and relationships within the cell’s structure. An understanding of the way cells synthesize chromosomes for reproduction can be applied in bio-machines and nano-technology. Transplantation of genes and chromosomes through injection and implantation is used to experiment with bio-engineering and cloning. Understanding the process through which cells replicate also has application in medicine and the study of health and disease.