Cell division is a process by which new cells are formed from old ones.
The cellular components, especially the paired DNA strands (chromatids), split apart and again form into two new paired sets.
This formation occurs through two different methods: mitosis and meiosis.
All the somatic cells of animals or plants undergo division by mitosis.
Meanwhile, the germinal cells responsible for sexual reproduction undergo meiosis.
Both process has 4 steps in common, viz.
- Prophase
- Metaphase
- Anaphase
- Telophase
Before going to the differences, you must read the details on mitosis and meiosis.
The Difference Between Mitosis and Meiosis
| Differences | Mitosis | Meiosis |
| Occurrence | It occurs in both Haploid cells and diploid cells | It occurs only in diploid cells. |
| Type of cell involved | All body cells are involved. | It occurs only in reproductive cells or germinal cells. |
| Nucleus division | Nucleus divides once | Here, the nucleus divides twice to produce 4 nuclei |
| Similarities of daughter cells | Daughter cells are identical to mother cells | Daughter cells are not identical |
| Number of new cells formed. | Two daughter cells are formed. | Four daughter cells are formed. |
| Prophase | Prophase is simple | Prophase is complicated with many steps. |
| Chromosome pairing | Chromosomes do not pair | Homologous chromosomes (similar) pair to form bivalent ones. |
| Chiasmata and crossing over | Chiasmata is absent; Also, there is no crossing over | Chiasmata present. Crossing over between non-sister chromatids occurs. |
| Centromeres | Centromeres undergo division in anaphase | centromeres do not divide in anaphase-1 but divide in anaphase-2 |
| Chromosome number in daughter cells | The chromosome number in the daughter cell is unchanged. | The chromosome number is reduced to half of the parent cell. |
| Time duration for process | The entire cell division is short comparatively. | Duration of cell division is very large as it involves many steps. |
| Role | Helps in the growth of the body or even in the multiplication of organisms (bacteria). | To help in gamete formation for sexual reproduction. |
Besides, new cells can also be formed without any of these two processes.
Some are divided by other methods that are completely devoid of these two processes.
Ex: Bacterial reproduction. Here, cells form spores to give out a single cell from the mother cells.
Also, the division of cells occurs in all the body’s cells except in the nerve cells of animals. Once they are formed during childhood, they never divide again in a lifetime.
The procedure takes some time, and the division varies among animals and plants.
As the cells keep dividing, they lose their ability further and age. Hence, human cells die after 50 divisions or so, leading to body aging.
So, the decrease in the division rate may enhance the individual’s life span.