Mitosis vs. Meiosis

There are several important differences between mitosis and meiosis.

First, mitosis results in the formation of two daughter cells identical to the original cell. Meiosis forms four gametes: cells with half the chromosomes of the original cell.

Second, mitosis is a single cell division. Meiosis is a replication followed by a reduction.

Third, mitosis has four stages. Meiosis has eight stages.

Fourth, in prophase of mitosis, the individual chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell and the chromatids are pulled to the poles. In prophase I of meiosis, the tetrads line up in the middle of the cell and the chromosomes are pulled to the poles.