Mitosis maintains chromosome number for growth, repair and asexual reproduction. Meiosis halves chromosome number to produce gametes and generates genetic diversity.
The genome is the total of all the DNA in an organism, containing all the genetic information required for development and growth.
Distinguish between cell division by mitosis and by meiosis in eukaryote cells.
| Mitosis | Meiosis | |
|---|---|---|
| a. | maintains chromosome number/diploid | halves chromosome number/haploid |
| b. | for growth/repair | for gamete production |
| c. | in somatic cells | in reproductive/sex/gamete cells |
| d. | one division | two divisions |
| e. | no exchange of genetic material between chromosomes/crossing over | exchange of genetic material between chromosomes/crossing over |
| f. | results in two cells | results in 4 cells |
| g. | only divides chromatids/chromatids separate during anaphase | also divides homologous chromosomes/homologous chromosomes separate during anaphase 1 and (sister) chromatids separate during anaphase 2 |
| h. | genetically identical | genetically different |