Difference between Mitosis and Meiosis

Mitosis and meiosis are two types of cell division processes that play the most crucial role in

reproduction, and maintenance of the structural and functional integrity of tissues. Let us

understand the various aspects that distinguish these two processes from each other.

Cell theory states that each living organism is made up of one or more cells.

Each cell is a collection of organelles dispersed into a membrane bound cytoplasm.

It is the basic structural, functional and organizational unit of every living organism.

New cells arise from pre-existing cells through cell division.

The process of formation of new cells from the existing ones can occur through mitosis and

meiosis, depending on the cell type and the purpose of division. Given below is a short

description of the two processes followed by a detailed account of the differences between them.

Mitosis

Mitosis is an equational division that involves the duplication of genetic material, and an equal

distribution of all the contents into two daughter cells. The cell cycle proceeds via interphase,

which comprises the stages of growth and DNA duplication, followed by a mitotic (M) phase.

The mitotic phase proceeds through prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase. Through

these phases, the original nucleus dissolves; the replicated chromosomes align at the centre of the

cell, and then segregate into two new nuclei. Finally, the cell physically divides into two new

cells through cytokinesis.

Meiosis

Meiosis is a type of cellular division that results in the formation of four haploid cells from a

single diploid cell. During meiosis, the genetic material is replicated only once whereas the

nucleus divides twice resulting in ploidy reduction. This is achieved through two successive
divisions, meiosis I and meiosis II. The cell cycle events proceed through interphase I, meiosis I,

cytokinesis, meiosis II followed by another event of cytokinesis.

Interphase-I involves cell growth and chromosome replication. Meiosis I involves the pairing of

homologous chromosomes (synapsis), and their segregation. It is followed by cytokinesis

resulting into two haploid daughter cells, but with intact sister chromatids. These sister

chromatids separate during meiosis II, which is a division similar to mitosis. (In certain species,

meiosis II is preceded by an extremely short resting phase called interphase II.) The resultant

daughter cells are haploid, and contain a single set of chromosomes.

Errors

The most common error that occurs during cell division processes is nondisjunction, a failure in

the separation of homologous chromosomes (during meiosis I) or sister chromatids (during

meiosis II or mitosis). The resultant cells are aneuploid, and have an abnormal set of

chromosomes. The cells with an extra chromosome are termed trisomic, while the ones lacking

the corresponding chromosome are termed monosomic.

Mitotic Errors

Mitotic nondisjunction results in mosaicism, which is characterized by the presence of normal as

well as genetically abnormal cells. Nondisjunction during the first mitotic division of a zygote

leads to the formation of an abnormal embryo that has trisomy in half the cells and monosomy in

the remaining cells. When nondisjunction occurs during the later stages in embryo development,

the resultant embryo has a set of normal as well as aneuploid cells. The monosomic cell lines

resulting due to mitotic nondisjunction usually die out. Such errors in fully developed individuals

may lead to the development of tumors (cancers).

Meiotic Errors

Meiotic nondisjunction is a constitutive error, and is present in all the resulting cells of the

progeny. If such an error occurs during meiosis I, all the resultant gametes are abnormal. On the

other hand, if such an error occurs during meiosis II, two of the resultant gametes are normal,

one is trisomic, and one is monosomic. Such errors can lead to a failure in implantation of

embryos, early pregnancy loss, miscarriage or birth defects. Some examples of meiotic

nondisjunctions are Turner syndrome (monosomy X), triple X syndrome (trisomy X), Klinefelter

syndrome (XXY syndrome), Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18) and

Patau syndrome (trisomy 13), etc.

Summary

Mitosis is a process through which somatic cells divide to form new and exactly similar cells. On

the other hand, meiosis is a division that occurs during gametogenesis, and is essential for

introducing genetic variation. This provides an evolutionary advantage to the higher organisms.

Each of the two processes follows a unique set of events, and plays a major role in the survival of

an organism.

Adopted from Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/difference-between-mitosis-and-

meiosis.html