Let's see in detail how these two cell divisions differ from each other: Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Cell division: mitosis involves only one division which occurs in the telophase phase, while in meiosis the division occurs twice and occurs in Telophase I and Telophase II. Number of daughter cells: The division of mitosis involves the production of two daughter cells (diploid) containing the same type of chromosomes as the parent cell. No recombination occurs. The division of meiosis results in the production of four daughter cells (haploid) containing a different combination of chromosomes (¼) from the parent cell. This is the result of the random segregation of chromosomes that occurs during the crossover phase. TimeIn mitosis, the time required for cell division is less than in meiosis, since this cell division is mainly composed of five phases. In meiosis, the cell takes longer to divide, because it is involved in two cycles of division, where the prophase I phase is composed of five phases: leptotene, zygotene, pachytene, diplotene and diakinesis. Chromosomes In mitosis, the number of chromosomes remains the same, while in meiosis it is reduced by half and then joined with the same amount of chromosome from the opposite gamete. Even in meiosis, chromosomes begin to pair during the zygotenic phase of prophase I (Diffen.com, 2018) while in mitosis, pairing does not occur. Phases There are five main phases involved in mitosis: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, and cytokinesis. Meiosis, however, has ten phases divided into two cycles: Prophase I, Metaphase I, Anaphase I, Telophase I and Cytokinesis (in Meiosis I); Prophase II, Metaphase II, Anaphase II, Telophase II and Cytokinesis II (in Meiosis II). The prophase phase, in mitosis, is simple and normally takes a few hours, while, in meiosis; this phase is rather complicated and normally lasts a few days. Cytokinesis, in mitosis, occurs towards the final part of telophase while in meiosis it occurs in both telophase I and telophase II. In summary, in meiosis the pairs of chromosomes come together but are then separated after crossing over has occurred, resulting in mixing of genetic information between the pairs of chromosomes. This cell division has two rounds of genetic separation and cell division that result in four non-identical daughter cells, with half the number of chromosomes (haploid). This is why it only occurs in gametic cells where both the mother's and father's chromosomes mix together to create a unique individual (sexual reproduction). In mitosis the chromosomes do not pair with each other and only a genetic separation occurs. This results in two identical daughter cells from the parent cell with the same number of chromosomes and genotype (diploid). That is why it occurs around the body only for growth and repair purposes (asexual reproduction). Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Although I mention the major differences between these cell divisions, both have similarities. Both have a period of growth called interphase, in which the cell replicates its genetic material in preparation for subsequent phases. Both end with division of the cytoplasm producing single cells.