How Cellular Divisions Differs from Each Other

Introduction

Let’s see in detail how these two cellular divisions differ from each other:

Cell Division

Mitosis involves only one division that takes place in the telophase phase, while in meiosis, the division occurs twice, taking place in Telophase I and Telophase II. This dual division in meiosis allows for genetic variation, which is crucial for evolution and adaptation.

Daughter Cell Number

Mitosis division involves the production of two daughter cells (diploid) containing the same type of chromosomes as the parental cell. No recombination occurs, ensuring genetic stability across generations of cells.

Meiosis division involves the production of four daughter cells (haploid) containing a different combination of chromosomes (¼) from the parental cell. This is the result of the random segregation of the chromosomes that take place during the phase of crossing over, which significantly contributes to genetic diversity.

Time

In mitosis, the time for cellular division is less compared to meiosis due to the fact that this cellular division is mainly composed of five stages. In meiosis, the cell takes longer to split because it is involved in two cycles of division, where the phase of Prophase I is made of five stages: leptotene, zygotene, pachytene, diplotene, and diakinesis. This complexity in meiosis is necessary for the accurate segregation of homologous chromosomes.

Chromosomes

In mitosis, the number of chromosomes remains the same, while in meiosis, it is reduced by half to then be joined with the same amount of chromosomes from the opposite gamete. Also, in meiosis, the chromosomes start to pair up during the zygotene phase of Prophase I, while in mitosis, the pairing does not occur (Diffen.com, 2018).

Stages

In mitosis, five main stages are involved: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, and cytokinesis. Meiosis, on the other hand, has ten stages divided into two cycles: Prophase I, Metaphase I, Anaphase I, Telophase I, and Cytokinesis (in Meiosis I); Prophase II, Metaphase II, Anaphase II, Telophase II, and Cytokinesis II (in Meiosis II). The complexity of these stages in meiosis ensures the generation of genetically unique cells.

The prophase stage in mitosis is simple and normally takes a few hours, while in meiosis, this stage is quite complicated and typically takes a few days. Cytokinesis in mitosis takes place towards the end part of Telophase, while in meiosis, it occurs both in Telophase I and Telophase II.

Summary

In summary, in meiosis, chromosome pairs come together but are then separated after crossing over occurs, resulting in the mixing of genetic information between the chromosome pairs. This cellular division has two rounds of genetic separation and cellular division, resulting in four non-identical daughter cells, with half the number of chromosomes (haploid). That is why it only occurs in gamete cells, where chromosomes from both the mother and the father are mixed together to create a unique individual through sexual reproduction.

In mitosis, the chromosomes do not pair up with each other, and only one genetic separation occurs. This results in two identical daughter cells from the parent cell with the same number of chromosomes and genotype (diploid). That is why it only occurs around the body for growth and repair purposes (asexual reproduction).

Conclusion

Although I mention the main differences between these cellular divisions, both have similarities. Both have a growth period called interphase, where the cell replicates its genetic material in preparation for the following stages. They both end with the division of the cytoplasm that produces individual cells. These processes are crucial for the continuity of life and the maintenance of genetic integrity and diversity across generations.

References

Diffen.com. (2018). Mitosis vs. Meiosis. Retrieved from https://www.diffen.com/difference/Mitosis_vs_Meiosis