Mitosis vs. Meiosis: What's the Difference?
Mitosis and meiosis are both types of cell division, but they serve different purposes. Mitosis makes two identical copies of a cell for growth and repair; meiosis makes four genetically varied sex cells (eggs or sperm) with half the usual number of chromosomes.
See the difference, explained visually.
Watch a 2-minute animated lesson comparing mitosis and meiosis.
At a glance
| Mitosis | Meiosis | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Growth and repair | Making sex cells (eggs/sperm) |
| Daughter cells | 2 | 4 |
| Chromosome number | Same as the parent | Half of the parent |
| Genetic result | Identical clones | Genetically varied |
| Rounds of division | One | Two |
Which should you use?
Mitosis
Mitosis happens constantly throughout the body to grow tissue and replace old or damaged cells.
Meiosis
Meiosis happens only when making reproductive cells, creating genetic variety and halving chromosomes so fertilization restores the full set.
Frequently asked questions
- What's the key difference between mitosis and meiosis?
- Mitosis produces two identical cells with the full chromosome count (for growth and repair); meiosis produces four genetically varied cells with half the chromosomes (for reproduction).
- Why does meiosis halve the chromosomes?
- So that when egg and sperm combine at fertilization, the offspring gets the correct full number — half from each parent — rather than doubling every generation.
- Where does each happen?
- Mitosis happens in body cells all over the organism; meiosis happens only in the reproductive organs to make eggs and sperm.