1. Mitosis:
* Purpose: Growth and repair of tissues.
* Daughter cells: Two genetically identical daughter cells.
* Stages:
* Prophase: Chromosomes condense and become visible, the nuclear envelope breaks down, and the spindle fibers form.
* Metaphase: Chromosomes align at the center of the cell, attached to the spindle fibers.
* Anaphase: Sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles of the cell.
* Telophase: The nuclear envelope reforms around each set of chromosomes, the chromosomes uncoil, and the cytoplasm divides (cytokinesis) to form two separate daughter cells.
2. Meiosis:
* Purpose: Production of gametes (sex cells) for sexual reproduction.
* Daughter cells: Four genetically different daughter cells, each with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
* Stages:
* Meiosis I:
* Prophase I: Chromosomes condense, homologous chromosomes pair up (synapsis), and crossing over occurs (exchange of genetic material).
* Metaphase I: Homologous chromosome pairs align at the center of the cell.
* Anaphase I: Homologous chromosomes separate and move to opposite poles.
* Telophase I: The nuclear envelope reforms, and the cytoplasm divides (cytokinesis) to form two daughter cells.
* Meiosis II: Similar to mitosis, but with half the number of chromosomes.
* Prophase II: Chromosomes condense again.
* Metaphase II: Chromosomes align at the center of the cell.
* Anaphase II: Sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles.
* Telophase II: The nuclear envelope reforms, and the cytoplasm divides (cytokinesis) to form four haploid daughter cells.
It's important to remember that mitosis is essential for growth and repair, while meiosis plays a crucial role in sexual reproduction and genetic diversity.
