Step through every phase of Mitosis and Meiosis with interactive diagrams
| Feature | Mitosis | Meiosis |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Growth, repair, asexual reproduction | Sexual reproduction, gamete formation |
| Number of divisions | 1 (one round) | 2 (Meiosis I and II) |
| Daughter cells produced | 2 | 4 |
| Chromosome number | Diploid (2n) → Diploid (2n) | Diploid (2n) → Haploid (n) |
| Genetic variation | None (clones) | High (crossing over + independent assortment) |
| Where it occurs | All somatic (body) cells | Gonads (testes, ovaries) |
| Synapsis of homologs | Does not occur | Occurs in Prophase I (forms bivalents) |
| Crossing over | Absent | Present (chiasmata form in Prophase I) |