Comparison between Mitosis and Meiosis

Learn about the comparison between Mitosis and Meiosis.

Comparison # Mitosis:

1. Mitosis occurs in all somatic cells of an individual.

2. In mitosis, each DNA-replication cycle is followed by one cell division. The result­ing daughter cells have a diploid number of chromosomes.

3. In mitosis each chromosome behaves independently.

4. In mitosis the genetic material remains constant.

5. Mitosis lasts 1 to 2 hours.

Prophase:

1. Prophase is of shorter duration and has no sub-stages in Mitosis.

2. In Mitosis the homologous chromosomes duplicate into two chromatids. These chromatids separate and form new chromosomes. Each daughter cell receives the daughter chromosomes or chromatids of each homologous and thus, having the chro­mosome number like the parental cells.

3. No synapsis, crossing-over or exchange of genetic material take place in Mitosis.

Metaphase:

1. In mitosis the chromatids occur in the form of dyads.

2. The centromeres of the chromosomes in mitosis remain directed towards the equator and the arms toward the poles.

Anaphase:

1. The chromosomes have single chro­matid in mitosis.

2. In Mitosis the chromosomes are usually long and thin.

Telophase:

1. Telophase always occurs in Mitosis.

Comparison # Meiosis:

1. Meiosis occurs in the germ cells (cells of the testes or ovaries) during the process of gametogenesis.

2. The whole process completes in two suc­cessive divisions which occur one after the other. The resulting four daughter cells are haploid.

3. In meiosis, there is pairing of homo­logous chromosomes.

4. In meiosis, there is genetic variability.

5. Meiosis lasts longer. In the male it may last for about 24 days and several years in females.

Prophase:

1. In meiosis the prophase I is of longer duration and includes six successive stages, viz., pro-leptotene, leptotene, zygotene, pachy­tene, diplotene and diakinesis.

2.  In meiosis out of the two homologous chromo­somes only one type of chromosome either maternal or paternal, moves to the daughter cells. A daughter cell, thus, receives only a maternal or paternal chro­mosome of the homologous pair and the number is half than that of the parental cells.

3. Synapsis between homologous chromo­somes occurs. Chiasmata formation or crossing-over takes place and exchange of genetic material also takes place between the non-sister chromatids of homologous chromosomes in meiosis.

Metaphase:

1. The chromatids of two homologous chro­mosomes occur in the form of tetrads in meiosis.

2. In meiosis the centromeres of the chromosomes remain directed towards the poles and the chromosomal arms remain directed towards the equator.

Anaphase:

1. The chromosomes have two chromatids and single centromere in meiosis.

2. In meiosis the chromosomes are short and thick.

Telophase:

1. Telophase I is sometimes omitted in meiosis.