What are the differences between mitosis and meiosis?

The process of mitosis produces two genetically identical diploid daughter cells through one division (the chromosome number remains the same). In comparison, in meiosis, four haploid daughter cells are produced through two divisions. The chromosome number is reduced by half and they are not genetically identical.

Mitosis is asexual cell division that occurs in all organisms and cells to create two exact copies that may be used for the general growth and repair of the body - it is cellular reproduction. Meiosis is a process of sexual reproduction that only occurs in the tissues of ovaries and testes (in plants and animals) to create gametes. The aim is to create genetc diversity and because of this, homologous pairs and crossing over occurs unlike in mitosis.

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