Comparison of Mitosis and Meiosis

Table 3.1 Comparison of Mitosis and Meiosis Characteristic Mitosis Meiosis Purpose Produce genetically identical cells for Produce gametes for sexual reproduction that are geneti- growth and maintenance cally different Location Somatic cells Germ-line cells Mechanics One round of division following one round Two rounds of division (meiosis | and meiosis ll) of DNA replication following a single round of DNA replication The mechanical basis of Mendel's laws of heredity Homologous chromosomes Do not pair Rarely undergo recombination Synapsis during prophase | Crossing over during prophase | Separation at anaphase l Sister chromatids Product Attach to spindle fibers from opposite poles in metaphase Separate and migrate to opposite poles at anaphase Two genetically identical diploid daughter cells that continue to divide by mitosis Attach to spindle fibers from the same pole in metaphase l Migrate to the same pole in anaphase | Attach to spindle fibers from opposite poles in metaphase ll Separate and migrate to opposite poles in anaphase l| Four genetically different haploid cells that mature to form gametes and unite to form diploid zygotes