What are the main differences between meiosis and mitosis?

Both mitosis and meiosis are processes of dividing a diploid cell, however there are a number of key differences. Mitosis results in two genetically identical, diploid, daughter cells and takes place during growth, repair, cloning and asexual reproduction. Diploid means that the cell has two homologous (same) copies of each chromosome. All cells in your body are formed via mitosis except for the sex cells; called gametes. I would recommend remembering that mitosis has a ‘t’ – ‘t’ for two daughter cells and two copies of each chromosome.

On the other hand, meiosis results in four haploid cells that are not genetically identical. In order to have haploid sex cells (just one copy of each chromosome in the cell), meiosis involves two cell divisions. In meiosis the chromosomes are divided randomly, hence the fact that the daughter cells are not genetically identical. I would recommend remembering that meiosis has an ‘e’ in it - ‘e’ for egg cells and other gametes.