Comparing Mitosis and Meiosis
INSTRUCTIONS:
Table 1 and 2 highlights the main differences between meiosis and mitosis. Click (or search
the websites) on the links below to complete the table. Write/describe the MITOTIC phases in
black ink and the differences in each of the two MEIOTIC divisions in red ink. (Note: You can also
use diagrams and images from the internet)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJCWVTnFf5o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr0oiws9ZvM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ba9LXKH2ztU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGVBAHAsjJM
TABLE 1
Stage
Mitosis
Meiosis I
(first division)
Meiosis II
(second division)
Chromosomes copied (DNA
replicated)
Early
prophase
Chromosomes copied (DNA
replicated)
Homologous chromosomes
synapse
No DNA replication
Crossing over between
homologous chromosomes
Chromosomes condense and
become visible
Prophase
2N chromosomes (in most
higher plants and animals)
Metaphase
Individual chromosomes line
up at spindle equator
Chromosomes condense and
become visible as tetrads (4
chromatids)
2N chromosomes (in most
higher plants and animals)
Tetrads line up at spindle
equator
Chromosomes may
remain visible
N chromosomes
Individual
chromosomes line up
at spindle equator
Chromosomes split at
centromere
Homologous chromosomes
separate
Chromosomes split at
centromere
Daughter chromatids pulled
to opposite poles
One chromosome from each
pair pulled to each pole
Daughter chromatids
pulled to opposite poles
Anaphase
Phase may be skipped
Two new nuclei formed
Telophase
Chromosomes disperse to
chromatin state
Cell divides
Daughter cells diploid
Two new nuclei formed
Chromosomes disperse to
chromatin state
Cell divides, haploid # but
daughter cells may be
diploid for some alleles**
Two new nuclei formed
Chromosomes disperse
to chromatin state
Cell divides
Daughter cells haploid
** The resulting cells from meiosis I have half the diploid number of chromosomes. Due to crossing over,
however, some of those chromosomes may carry different alleles for the same trait on the two chromatids.
Hence, the cells are cytologically haploid, but may be genetically diploid for some genes.
TABLE 2
INSTRUCTIONS: Complete the table below using the information listed in each stage of mitosis and
meiosis in Table 1. If you need more information, click on the link below to watch the videos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJCWVTnFf5o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr0oiws9ZvM
Comparison Chart
POINT OF COMPARISON
Meiosis
Mitosis
Definition:
A type of cellular reproduction in
which the number of chromosomes
are reduced by half through the
separation of homologous
chromosomes in a diploid cell.
A process of asexual reproduction in
which the cell divides in two
producing a replica, with an equal
number of chromosomes in haploid
cell.
Function:
sexual reproduction
Cellular Reproduction & general
growth and repair of the body
Type of Reproduction:
Sexual
Asexual
Occurs in:
Humans, animals, plants, fungi
all organisms
Genetically:
different
identical
Crossing Over:
Yes, mixing of chromosomes can
occur.
No, crossing over cannot occur.
Pairing of Homologous:
Yes
No
Number of Divisions:
2
1
Number of Haploid
Daughter Cells produced:
4
2
Chromosome Number:
Reduced by half
Remains the same
Steps:
The steps of meiosis are Interphase,
Prophase I, Metaphase I, Anaphase I,
Telophase I, Prophase II, Metaphase
The steps of mitosis are Interphase,
Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase,
Telophase and Cytokinesis
POINT OF COMPARISON
Meiosis
Mitosis
II, Anaphase II and Telophase II.
Karyokenesis:
Occurs in Interphase I
Occurs in Interphase
Cytokenesis:
Occurs in Telophase I & Telohpase II
Occurs in Telophase
Centromeres Split:
The centromeres do not separate
during anaphase I, but during
anaphase II
The centromeres split during
Anaphase
Creates/Produced:
Sex cells only: Female egg cells or
Male sperm cells
Makes everything other than sex cells