Mitosis
* Purpose: Growth, repair, and asexual reproduction in single-celled organisms.
* Number of divisions: One division, resulting in two daughter cells.
* Number of chromosomes in daughter cells: Same number of chromosomes as the parent cell (diploid).
* Genetic material: Daughter cells are genetically identical to the parent cell.
* Crossing over: Does not occur.
* Synapsis: Does not occur.
* Homologous chromosomes: Do not pair up.
* Cell type: Occurs in somatic cells (all cells except gametes).
Meiosis
* Purpose: Production of gametes (sex cells) for sexual reproduction.
* Number of divisions: Two divisions, resulting in four daughter cells.
* Number of chromosomes in daughter cells: Half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell (haploid).
* Genetic material: Daughter cells are genetically different from the parent cell and from each other due to crossing over and independent assortment.
* Crossing over: Occurs during prophase I, exchanging genetic material between homologous chromosomes.
* Synapsis: Homologous chromosomes pair up during prophase I.
* Homologous chromosomes: Pair up during prophase I.
* Cell type: Occurs in germ cells (cells that give rise to gametes).
In a nutshell: Mitosis produces two identical daughter cells, while meiosis produces four genetically diverse daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes.
