Commonly confused
Mitosis vs Meiosis
Mitosis makes two identical cells with the full chromosome number; meiosis makes four different cells with half. One is for growth, the other for making gametes.
Mitosis
One division. Two daughter cells, each identical to the parent and with the same chromosome number (diploid stays diploid). Used for growth and repair.
Meiosis
Two divisions after one copying. Four daughter cells, each with half the chromosomes (haploid) and each genetically different. Used to make eggs and sperm.
The trap
Count cells and chromosomes: mitosis gives two cells with the same number; meiosis gives four cells with half. Students also forget meiosis has two divisions and creates variation by crossing over. Same number and two cells means mitosis.
Where this connects
Meiosis halving the chromosomes is why fertilisation can put two halves together and land back at the full number. Without the halving, the number would double every generation.
Why meiosis halves →Quick check
The key difference in outcome between meiosis and mitosis is that meiosis produces:
- ATwo identical diploid cells
- BFour genetically different haploid cells
- CTwo haploid cells
- DFour identical diploid cells