What's the difference between mitosis and meiosis?

Answer 1

In MITOSIS, the cells that are produced are exactly the same, and have the same DNA. In MEIOSIS, the cells are not the same at all. Also, MITOSIS is responsible for reproducing somatic cells and MEIOSIS is responsible for reproducing germ cells. MITOSIS doesn't require sex for the creation of new organisms, MEIOSIS does.

:) I hope this is understandable enough for you.

Answer 2

n MITOSIS, the 2 cells that come out of the division (lets call them the daughters), are EXACTLY the same in genetic makeup as the original mother cell. They have the very same DNA and therefore make the same proteins and therefore the cells behave the same.In MEIOSIS on the other hand, the cells are not the same at all. And in fact, this is the point of meiosis - to make new types of cells. You may know that eggs and sperm are products of meiosis, but you not only get a mixing of genes from your mother (from the egg) and father (from the sperm), but the genes inside the egg and sperm are pre-mixed because of meiosis. Thus, genetic diversity!, and an explanation for why you have traits given to you from your grandmother through your father, even though your father may not have that trait (he carries it in his genes for later mixing). This may be a complicated issue in itself but since we have 2 of every chromosome and therefore 2 of every gene (even before the DNA replication that preceeds mitosis), there's a chance that the 2 copies of the same gene are different, one of which shows up in your father and one which you have that you got from your grandmother throuh your father. The mixing, by the way comes about because after the DNA replicates in preparation for cell division. This is neat and involves chromosomes breaking apart and joining back together. Take a look at the animated movie of meiosis at http://www.biology.yale.edu/animatedmeio... - make a point to notice the red and green chromosomes at the beginning and the mixed ones at the end.

Answer 3

Just an additional note for you. Mitosis and Meiosis do NOT involve INTERPHASE. Interphase happens before mitosis and meiosis. Many people get this confused. Just remember PMAT for mitosis & PMAT 1 & 2 for meiosis. Please do NOT include Interphase with mitosis and meiosis.

Answer 4

Meiosis involves the splitting of sex cells only. Mitosis involves everyother type of cell. From what I remember, mitosis involves the phases of interphase, prophase metaphas anaphase and telophase. Meiosis does not include the interphase stage.

1. interphase = Replication of DNA, includes G1, S and G2 subphases. (mitosis only)

2. Prophase = In prophase I the chromosomes become visible. However, unlike prophase of mitosis, the two chromosomes combine or synapse to form tetrads. Tetrads are also known as bivalents because they contain two pairs of chromosomes. At this point the chromosomes cross over at points called chiasmata. Crossing over allows the chromosomes to exchange genetic material, allowing for more different combinations of genetic material. As in the prophase of mitosis the nuclear envelope disperses, the spindle moves into the center, and the tetrads become connected to the spindle fibers by kinetochores.

3. Metaphase = In metaphase I the tetrads are again arranged across the center by the movements of the kinetochores with the two centromeres opposite each other, but this time the sister chromatids will not be pulled apart as in mitosis.

4. Anaphase = In anaphase I the chromatids holding the chromosomes together loosen. The two homologous chromatids of each tetrad are separated into separate poles. Since the chromosomes from each parent can go into either pole this is another means to increase genetic diversity.

5. Telophase = In both mitosis and meiosis the chromosomes are moved into opposite poles and the nuclear envelope reforms and the spindle is broken down. Remember that there are two chromosomes, not one as in mitosis.

Answer 5

Meiosis yields nonidentical daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the original cell, mitosis produces two cells identical to the original cell

Answer 6

in mitosis the end product is 4 daughter cells...and in meiosis you have two daughter cells.
meiosis is basically for cell division and mitosis for cell replication

Answer 7

mitosis is vegetative reproduction which no need for fertilization meanwhile meiosis is the combination of 2 gamette to produce individual which share both parental genetic chatacter. mitosis always happen in lower plant and animals (fungi and bacteria).

Answer 8

meiosis only occurs in the reproductive system while mitosis/cell division occurs in the rest of the body, where a cell goes through interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase, to become two cells.

Answer 9

mitosis is when a cell duplicates itself exactly into two daughet cells, each of which has the full number of genes. Meiosis is when a cell duplicates itself into 4 sex cells, each of which have half the full number of genes.

Answer 10

It has to do with the way that cells multiply and how they create the genes for each daughter cell. I forget the details.