Difference between mitosis and meiosis

Difference between mitosis and meiosis

By Dr. Kyle Muller

Within the amazing and enigmatic world of genetics, two processes stand out, both after its importance within the proper functioning and survival of living beings, and because of their extreme complexity. We talk about mitosis and meiosis. Both biological processes have been studied and analyzed for centuries, with the intention of better understanding how cell reproduction works. There are many concepts and processes responsible for Differences between the phases of mitosis and meiosisbut thanks to the publications and microscope images collected by multiple genetic studies, today it is easier to access these curious biological processes. Continue reading this Ecology Verde article to discover the Difference between mitosis and meiosis.

Difference between mitosis and meiosis – summary

The main difference between the processes of mitosis and meiosis is determined by the function that each process performs, being Mitosis the division of the nucleus of any cell of an organism (somatic cells), necessary for the growth and renewal of these cells; while Meiosis They carry it out alone and exclusively cells involved in the reproduction processwith the objective of exchange genetic information between the nuclei of two sexual cells of different organisms and thus increase the genetic diversity and survival of the species.

Therefore, the type of cell as well as the number and type of chromosomes or genetic material that are involved in these cell division processes is also different. This is the difference between mitosis and meiosis with respect to the types of cells involved:

  • Mitosis: short -term process in which haploid cells (N) with non -matched chromosomes intervene.
  • MEIOSIS: Long process in which diploid cells (2N) intervene with paired chromosomes.

On the other hand, this is the difference between mitosis and meiosis regarding its result:

  • Mitosis: After a single cell division, two new genetically identical daughter cells are obtained to the stem cell, since the exchange of genetic information between chromatids has not occurred.
  • MEIOSIS: After suffering two fissions from the nucleus, the original cell gives rise to four final gametes (sex cells), each having half of the number of chromosomes contained in the original cell. In addition, these new four cells have different genetic information, since during the meiosis process they have suffered a genetic exchange, called cross -linking.

Difference between mitosis and meiosis - difference between mitosis and meiosis - summary

Image: Biogeo4esoccs

Similarities between mitosis and meiosis – summary

Although they are different processes, both mitosis and meiosis share a series of similarities. Within the similarities between mitosis and meiosis The following stand out:

  • Its function as a cell core division process. Thanks to both biological phenomena, living beings guarantee their survival, on the one hand, through the growth and maintenance of their own cells and tissues thanks to myitosis and, on the other hand, guaranteeing the diversity and genetic balance between the species, thanks to the action of meiosis by providing genetic diversity in the gametes.
  • In addition, the existence of the processes of mitosis and meiosis is universal, giving with greater or lesser frequency in all the Live eukaryotic beings that exist on the face of the earth.

What is myitosis – definition and phases

Mitosis is the biological process by which Somatic cells of living eukaryotic organisms divide their cell core And with him, the genetic information they have. In this way, living organisms guarantee their survival, thanks to the correct growth and maintenance of all their cells. Both animal cells and those of eukaryotic plants, fungi and microorganisms carry out the surprising cell mythosis process.

To get a equitable distribution of DNA or genetic materialthese are the Phases of mitosis:

  1. Interface
  2. Prophase
  3. Metaphase
  4. Anaphase
  5. Telophase

The final result of mitosis is to obtain Two daughter cells with genetic information identicalboth among them and with respect to the stem cell. Thus, myitosis constitutes a asexual reproduction processin which only one stem cell intervenes. You can expand some more information with the example of plants with asexual reproduction: characteristics and examples.

Difference between mitosis and meiosis - What is myitosis - definition and phases

What is meiosis – definition and phases

Meiosis is the responsible process par excellence of guarantee genetic diversity among individuals of the same species. This amazing biological process is necessary to carry out the sexual reproduction between organisms of different sex. In this way, meiosis is responsible for producing male sex cells (sperm) and female (ovules) necessary for sexual reproduction and the creation of new individuals genetically different from their parents.

During the complex MEIOSIS GENETIC PROCESS Two successive divisions of the cells of the cells are carried out, so that the process is long and entails the realization of the following Stages of Meiosis:

Meiosis i

  • Profase i
  • Metaphase i
  • Anaphase i
  • Telofase i

MEIOSIS II

  • Profase II
  • Metaphase II
  • Anaphase II
  • Telofase II

After the division and exchange of genetic material, the four cells resulting in the meiotic process are characterized by being haploid (a single copy of the genetic material) and having a varied and enriched new genetic information.

Now that you know well the difference between mitosis and meiosis, here we leave you information about the similarity and difference between animal and plant cell and what are the unicellular and multicellular living beings.

Difference between mitosis and meiosis - What is meiosis - definition and phases

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Literature
  • Murray, A. & Szostack, J. (1995) Chromosome Segregation in Mitosis and Meiosis. Annual Review of Cell Biology. Volume 1, pages 289-315.
Kyle Muller
About the author
Dr. Kyle Muller
Dr. Kyle Mueller is a Research Analyst at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department in Houston, Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Texas State University in 2019, where his dissertation was supervised by Dr. Scott Bowman. Dr. Mueller's research focuses on juvenile justice policies and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing recidivism among youth offenders. His work has been instrumental in shaping data-driven strategies within the juvenile justice system, emphasizing rehabilitation and community engagement.
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