Describe how meiosis and mitosis are similar and different. Provide at least two similarities and 3 differences.

Differences

1. Meiosis occurs in two divisions, resulting in four haploid cells. Mitosis, however, occurs in one division, resulting in two diploid cells.

2. Mitosis produces body cells, which are used for purposes of growth and repair. Meiosis, however, produces gametes, which are used in sexual reproduction.

3. Mitosis produces two identical daughter cells, but meiosis increases genetic variation by undergoing crossing over an independent assortment. The resulting daughter cells of meiosis are genetically unique to the parent cell.

Similarities

1. Both processes are completed in a specific order that is heavily monitored to ensure that errors do not occur.

2. Both processes proceed DNA replication as well as growth phases.

3. Both processes have at least one phase in which the sister chromatids separate; in the case of meiosis, it is anaphase II, and in mitosis, it is anaphase.