What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis?

Mitosis and meiosis are both types of cell division.Cells that divide by mitosis produce 2 identical daughter cells - these cells have the same number of chromosomes. These cells are important for growth and repair (because they are exactly the same as the cells they replace).Cells that divide by meiosis produce 4 daughter cells - these cells have half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell did. These cells are important for reproduction, otherwise gametes would contain the same number of chromosomes as a parent cell and this would double the number of chromosomes across each generation when fertilisation occurs.

Answered by Abbey B. Biology tutor

1951 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Explain why it is important to take a full course of prescribed antibiotics.


What are the similarities and differences between competitive and non-competitive inhibition within enzymes?


Explain how natural selection can lead to new species forming (speciation)


Before a drug is sold and released to the public, what measures must scientists take to ensure the safety of a drug and why are these steps taken?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences