KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MITOSIS AND MEIOSIS
- Parent cell types
- Mitosis: diploid somatic cell
- Meiosis: diploid germ line cell (reproductive cell precursor)
- Tetrad formation (Meiosis only)
- Prophase I
- Crossing over (Meiosis only)
- Chiasmata: site of genetic recombination, occurs in prophase I
- Synaptonemal complex (Meiosis only)
- Zipper-like protein structure that holds homologues together: specific to meiosis I
- Kinetochore orientation
- Mitosis: sister chromatid kinetochores face opposite poles
- Meiosis I: sister chromatid kinetochores face the same pole
- Meiosis II: sister chromatid kinetochores face opposite poles
- Genetic variability (Meiosis only)
- Crossing over (genetic recombination)
- Random fertilization
- Independent assortment: each tetrad positions itself on the metaphase plate independently of other tetrads
- Meiosis produces four genetically distinct haploid daughter cells
- Mitosis produces two genetically identical diploid daughter cells
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