The 7 differences between mitosis and meiosis

The amazing world of the microscopic reveals its secrets little by little. Among them, cellular reproduction, that natural process by which cells divide, multiply and grow, attracts special attention. The key to life is in this, because this is how genetic information is transmitted throughout generations.

However, There are two processes of cell division in living beings: mitosis and meiosis.. Both processes have their own characteristics, but they are different biological phenomena.

If you are starting out in the world of cytology or are simply curious, in this article you will learn about both processes. The formation of new cells is an amazing process that is worth knowing about, so don’t miss it.

What are mitosis and meiosis?

These two terms respond to the two ways that eukaryotic cells have to reproduce. Before knowing the differences between mitosis and meiosis, it is good to know each process in more depth.

Mitosis

Also known as karyokinesis, it occurs in both unicellular and multicellular beings. Thanks to this process, multicellular organisms – plants, animals, fungi, etc. – guarantee their survival, since the cells of their tissues are maintained and grow by the replication of their own cells.

Mitosis comprises a total of four phases:

Prophase: the genetic material begins to condense and form long, thin strands, forming the so-called mitotic spindle.Metaphase: The envelope of the cell nucleus disappears, releasing the genetic material.Anaphase: chromosomes migrate to opposite poles of the cell.Telophase: at each pole a nuclear envelope begins to be created again, leaving two identical cells when the cytoplasm divides.

Meiosis

Meiosis is the process that guarantees genetic diversity between individuals of the same species. It is a much more complex division cycle, because thanks to this the gametes are produced. Two division cycles are generated with their corresponding phases.

The first of them, meiosis I, includes the following steps and results in two diploid cells with the same genetic material:

Prophase I: Homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material by crossing over.Metaphase I: the resulting chromosomes are placed at the equator of the cell in a random manner.Anaphase I: The homologs separate and go to the poles of the cell.Telophase I: These begin to be surrounded by a nuclear envelope.

For its part, meiosis II has its own phases:

Prophase II: chromatin condenses again and the nuclear envelope disappears.Metaphase II: chromosomes made up of two chromatids are located at the equator of the cell.Anaphase II: Sister chromatids separate and move to the poles of the cell.Telophase II: The resulting chromosomes, now with a single chromatid, group together at the poles and the nuclear envelope begins to reorganize around them.

At the end of this second period of nuclear division, the result is four haploid cells, each with half of the genetic material.

The differences between mitosis and meiosis

Now that you know the two processes a little better, it will be easier for you to visualize the differences between mitosis and meiosis:

Mitosis occurs in somatic cells, while Meiosis is responsible for producing gametes with different genetic makeup.Mitosis generates two daughter cells with the same genetic load, while meiosis generates four cells. Meanwhile, the first only goes through one division, Meiosis consists of two phases of cell division.The cell that reproduces by mitosis can be haploid or diploid; On the other hand, meiosis will always be diploid.In mitosis, the number of chromosomes per cell is maintained -2n-but in meiosis it divides in half, giving rise to haploid cells. The chromosomes do not cross over in mitosis, but in meiosis they do cross over to obtain new loads of DNA. While mitosis occurs in the entire body of living beings, Meiosis only takes place in the reproductive organs, since it is a process exclusively dedicated to maintaining genetic variability in reproduction.

Now that you know the two processes a little better, you can surely delve deeper into the extensive, almost endless, world of cytology. Although it may seem that what escapes the eye is very different from the macroscopic, you will find that many of its processes and parts are a reflection of life itself.

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