Meiosis & Mitosis Compared (College Board AP® Biology)

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Mitosis and meiosis are both forms of cell division
They have many similarities and differences that are important for their functions
Mitosis contributes to the growth of an organism or to replace dead/dying cells
Meiosis produces genetically different gametes for sexual reproduction

The chromosome content of a cell changes throughout mitotic and meiotic divisions
Mitosis ends with two daughter cells genetically identical to each other and the parent cell
- This is important so that growth and cell replacement can occur within an organism continually
- Every cell in an organism's body (other than gametes) contain exactly the same genetic material - the full genome
Meiosis ends with four daughter cells all of which contain half the genetic material of the parent cell and are all different from each other and the parent
- This is important for genetic variation within families and the population
- Genetic variation can reduce the risk of inheriting genetic diseases

The chromosome content changes during mitosis and meiosis

Similarities between mitosis & meiosis

Both start from a diploid starting cell

Both consist of sequential stages of: prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase

In metaphase, chromosomes line up along the cell's equator

In anaphase, chromosomes separate to the poles of the cell

Both end with cytokinesis

Feature	Mitosis	Meiosis
Rounds of cell division	One	Two
Number of daughter cells	Two	Four
Ploidy of daughter cells	Diploid	Haploid
Daughter cells are genetically...	...identical	...different
Occurrence	In all organisms	In animals, plants, fungi only
Cells created	Somatic	Gametes
Recombination occurs?	No	Yes
Chromosome assortment	None	Independent

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