Table 1 illustrates some of the basic differences between meiosis and mitosis.
Table 1: DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MITOSIS AND MEIOSIS
| S/No |
Mitosis |
Meiosis |
| 1. | It occurs in the division of somatic or body cells. | It occurs in gamete cells. |
| 2. | Mitosis does not introduce variation in the genetic makeup of an organism. | Meiosis introduces variation in the genetic makeup of an organism. |
| 3. | It starts with the zygote after fertilization and continues throughout the life of the organism. | It occurs only after the age of maturity especially during the formation of gamete cells. |
| 4. | No crossing over occurs during mitosis. | Crossing over occurs during meiosis. |
| 5. | Chiasmata is not formed during mitosis. | Chiasmata is formed during meiosis. |
| 6. | During mitosis, there is no association of homologous chromosomes. | During meiosis, homologous chromosomes associate. |
| 7. | In mitosis, two daughter cells are usually formed in one cycle. | In meiosis, four daughter cells are formed in one cycle. |
| 8. | One nuclear division and one cytoplasmic division occur per cycle during mitosis. | Two cytoplasmic divisions and two nuclear divisions occur per cycle during meiosis. |
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