Question

List the main differences between mitosis and meiosis.

Answer 1

	Mitosis	Meiosis
1	It occurs in all somatic cells and may continue throughout life.	It occurs in reproductive cells and at specific times.
2	It involves a single division, resulting in only two daughter cells.	It involves two successive divisions, resulting in four daughter cells.
3	Subsequent mitotic divisions are similar to the earlier ones.	Two meiotic divisions are dissimilar; the first is reductional, while the second is equational.
4	Prophase is relatively short and simple.	Prophase I is very long and elaborate, comprising 5 subphases.
5	There is no pairing of homologous chromosomes.	Homologous chromosomes pair and often undergo crossing over in prophase I.
6	Chromatids are genetically similar to chromosomes they arise from.	Chromatids may differ genetically from the chromosomes they arise from due to crossing over.
7	No synaptonemal complex forms.	Synaptonemal complex forms between svnapsed homologous chromosomes.
8	In prophase, there is no transcription or protein synthesis, and chromosomes do not unfold.	In the diplotene of prophase I (oocytes from specific animals), chromosomes unfold and transcription and protein synthesis may take place.
9	Daughter cells have diploid number (2N) of chromosomes like the parent cell.	Daughter cells have haploid number (N) of chromosomes unlike the parent cell.