Introduction to Mitosis and Meiosis
Cell division is a fundamental process for life. It is useful not only to generate new cells but also to help in growth and development. This cell division can take place through 2 different modes - Mitosis and Meiosis. We are about to look at a few characteristics, the basic definitions, and the difference between mitosis and meiosis.
Cell reproduction is the process of creating new species using a single-parent cell. However, this process is different in unicellular and multicellular organisms. Unicellular organisms perform cell reproduction or division to generate daughter cells. Multicellular organisms perform cell division to enhance growth and replace worn-out cells from the body.
To put it straight, mitosis creates new body cells, whereas meiosis generates sperm and egg cells.
Mitosis Overview
Cell duplication and distribution is the aim of Mitosis.
This is an asexual mode of reproduction.
Nuclei form in 4 stages namely prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase.
2 diploid cells are formed.
Spindle fibers disconnect after sister chromatids get separated.
Meiosis Overview
Meiosis is a form of sexual reproduction.
The resulting daughter cells are reduced in their chromosome number by half.
Eukaryotic chromosomes are formed.
Similar to mitosis, S-Phase is dominant in the meiosis form of cell replication.
A cell undergoing meiosis will either become human sperm or an egg.
Differences Between Mitosis and Meiosis in Detail
Mitosis is a core process that replicates all of its content, including duplication of its chromosomes. The result is two identical daughter cells. Mitosis is a critical process to life, and hence this is controlled by several genes.
If the genes are not regulated properly, it might cause serious health issues in humans, such as cancer.
Meiosis, on the other side, will create copies that have the same number of chromosomes in humans (in all generations). Meiosis is a two-step procedure, reducing the chromosome number by half. The result of this process is the formation of egg and sperm cells, with chromosome counts from 46 to 23. This is a reason why the human embryo has 46 chromosomes from birth (conception of egg and sperm). Chances are likely in meiosis to exhibit genetic variations from DNA shuffling.
Following is a table to quickly describe the differences in mitosis vs meiosis.
Difference Between Mitosis and Meiosis Table in Tabulated Form
MITOSIS | MEIOSIS |
During the Interphase stage, genetically identical sister chromosomes formed, due to the replication of each chromosome. | At Interphase, the DNA will be duplicated but the chromosome is not visible. |
Homologous sister chromosomes appear in pairs at Prophase 1. Chiasmata is the term used to refer to the crossing-over of non-sister chromatids. | At Prophase, Mitotic spindle forms after the development of 2 identical sister chromatids. |
Chromosomes get arranged and adjusted with the Metaphase plate. | Chromosomes get organized at the Metaphase plate’s equator. |
At Anaphase, homologous pairs move away as reverse poles. | Contraction of sister fibers being at Anaphase and sets of daughter cells are observed at each pole. |
4 daughter cells with half the count of parent chromosomes. | 2 daughter cells with the same count of parent chromosomes. |
In case of time constraints, students can refer to this table directly. This table will also come in handy while revising the topic. You may get information about many such topics of Biology on Vedantu's website for free.
Similarities Between Mitosis and Meiosis
Apart from its cell division or reproductive processes, there are 3-4 similarities between meiosis and mitosis. DNA synthesis is primarily common to both. If already formed, the cardiac tissues and nervous system cells will never replicate their daughter/sister cells either through meiosis or mitosis. Both these methods of reproduction are visible under an electron microscope.
Fun Facts about Mitosis
Some very interesting facts about Mitosis are given below to make the learning process interesting for you:
Mistakes made during mitotic cell division can result in changes in the DNA
Two genetically identical daughter cells are generated as a result of mitosis
Mitotic cell division takes place in four phases namely
Prophase
Metaphase
Anaphase
Telophase
The structure responsible for moving the chromosomes during the process of mitosis is known as the spindle
Fun facts about Meiosis
Some facts about meiosis that you may find interesting are given below:
Meiotic cell division takes place during reproduction only
Chromosome numbers are halved during meiotic cell division
Every individual is unique due to genetic variation that takes place during meiosis
In meiosis, diploid cells are converted to haploid and again converted back to being diploid.
Even a minor error during the meiotic cell division can result in a permanent impact on human development
A mutation is possible during meiotic cell division
Conclusion
Both mitosis and meiosis have their roles in human development and genetic message transmission. Credits to ‘Walther Flemming’ for the discovery of mitosis and helping new cells grow and nurture. Also, thanks to the brain of Oscar Hertwig for uncovering meiosis and making continuity of required cells possible with definite DNA variants.
FAQs on Differences between Mitosis and Meiosis
1. What is mitosis and meiosis?
Mitosis and meiosis are cell division processes that occur either sexually or asexually to create new cells and help in the growth of existing cells.
2. Give 1 significant factor for mitosis and meiosis difference.
The core of mitosis is to repair non-existent cells and meiosis is focused to create new daughter cells with half the count of parent chromosomes.
3. What are the 5 stages under Prophase 1?
Prophase 1 is divided into 5 stages namely Leptotene, Zygotene, Pachytene, Diplotene, and Diakinesis.
4. Will studying Differences between Mitosis and Meiosis help me in scoring good marks in Class 12 board exams?
Yes, studying Differences between Mitosis and Meiosis can surely help you in scoring excellent marks in Class 12 biology exams. Every year at least one question either related to the topic directly or related to some sub-topic is asked in the exam. And these questions are mostly asked for either 3 or 4 marks. If you cover this topic properly you can collect these marks easily. Apart from this further topics in the reproduction chapter can be understood easily if you have clarity in mitosis and meiosis. A student must ensure to understand the context of the topic in every section as it may vary a little in botany and zoology. Also, students should focus on the number of chromosomes and how they get divided during both phenomena.
5. Which NCERT books contain the topic of Differences between Mitosis and Meiosis?
Class 9 and Class 11 NCERTs cover differences between Mitosis and Meiosis. But the depth of coverage is different in both the books. Class 12 covers the topic in much more detail whereas Class 9 only introduces the topic. In both books, the topic is explained with well-illustrated and properly labeled diagrams. You are expected to know the diagram by heart. Thus it is important to practice these diagrams as well. You can refer to Human Reproductive System from Vedantu’s website to cover the entire topic in detail.
6. Is it possible to study the Differences between Mitosis and Meiosis on my own?
Yes with Vedantu it is possible for you to study Differences between Mitosis and Meiosis on your own. You can read this topic from the NCERT book on Biology of Class 11 and then you can further understand this topic from Vedantu’s website as well as the mobile application. By doing this exercise you will be in a position to tackle any question that may arise in any exam. You may refer to distinguishing between mitosis and meiosis by Vedantu for further clarity on the topic.
7. What type of questions can be expected from Differences between Mitosis and Meiosis?
In Class 11 and Class 12 exams, you can expect three types of questions in exam from Differences between Mitosis and Meiosis:
Distinguish between both the phenomena: here you will be expected to write points of differences in tabulated format.
Stating the differences between the two: here you have to write the answer in a pointwise manner. Diagrams may be expected
Short note on either of the two: here you need to explain the asked concept in brief. You will also be expected to draw diagrams
Draw diagrams: You will be expected to draw the diagrams showing cells diving mitotically and (or) meiotically.
At the Vedantu website, you will find answers for all types of questions asked on Mitosis and Meiosis that will help in preparation.
8. Which section of Biology Differences between Mitosis and Meiosis deals with?
Differences between Mitosis and Meiosis is part of the cell division and reproduction chapter in biology. This talks about two types of cell division that take place in living beings. Mitosis is observed at several places whereas cell dividing meiotically (as well as mitotically) is observed only during reproduction in humans. These can be observed in both animal cells as well as in plant cells. It is very important for a student to know both of these as they are part of many other topics in zoology as well as botany. Knowing these topics will also help you perform well in your medical entrance exams as many times questions on the number of chromosomes are present after cell division are seen in the exams.
