What's the difference between meiosis and mitosis?

They are both cell divisions but there are major differences betwenn them. First of all, meiosis only happens in sex cells (egg cells in women and sperm cells in men) and is a reduction diviosion, i.e. the amount of genetic material halves while it stays the same in mitosis. The reason for this is that the amount of genetic material must pe preserved in each generation (meioisis ensures it doesn't double with each generation).

Also, there are two divisions in meiosis yeilding 4 daughter cells and just one in mitosis producing 2 cell.

MT
Answered by Magdalena T. Biology tutor

4244 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

How does the process of eutrophication work?


A neuron transmits an electrical impulse across a synapse in order to pass this impulse to the next neuron. Outline this process.


Describe the process of glycolysis


Skeletal muscle is one of the main tissues where glucose is removed from the blood in response to insulin. Name one other:


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning