Mitosis vs Meiosis
KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN MITOSIS AND MEIOSIS
1. Parent cell types
2. Tetrad formation (Meiosis only)
- Prophase I
- Chiasmata: site of genetic recombination, occurs in prophase I
- Zipper-like protein structure that holds homologues together: specific to meiosis I
- Mitosis: sister chromatid kinetochores face opposite poles
- Meiosis I: sister chromatid kinetochores face the same pole
- Meiosis II: sister chromatid kinetochores face opposite poles
- Crossing over (genetic recombination)
- Random fertilization
- Independent assortment: each tetrad positions itself on the metaphase plate independently of other tetrads
- Meiosis produces four genetically distinct haploid daughter cells
- Mitosis produces two genetically identical diploid daughter cells