What are the differences between mitosis and meiosis?

Mitosis and meiosis are both processes which describe the production of new cells. Mitosis produces 2 daughter cells which are genetically identical to the parent cell. Each daughter cell is diploid (contains the normal number of chromosomes). This is the result of DNA replication and 1 cell division. read more

Differences in Purpose. Though both types of cell division are found in many animals, plants, and fungi, mitosis is more common than meiosis and has a wider variety of functions. read more

Differences Between Mitosis and Meiosis. 1. Cell Division. Mitosis: A somatic cell divides once. Cytokinesis (the division of the cytoplasm) occurs at the end of telophase. Meiosis: A reproductive cell divides twice. Cytokinesis happens at the end of telophase I and telophase II. 2. Daughter Cell Number. Mitosis: Two daughter cells are produced. read more

The difference between mitosis and meiosis is that mitosis is a standard part of the cell cycle, the process that ensures DNA gets duplicated and shared to two daughter cells when a cell replicates; meiosis only occurs when a gamete, a sex cell (e.g. an egg or a sperm) is made, the difference being that sex cells are haploid (have only one set of DNA) while somatic cells are diploid (two sets of DNA). read more