{"id":31628,"date":"2017-06-30T13:20:04","date_gmt":"2017-06-30T13:20:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/?page_id=31628"},"modified":"2026-03-28T10:30:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T15:30:22","slug":"cellular-division-mitosis-and-meiosis","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/cellular-division-mitosis-and-meiosis\/","title":{"rendered":"Cellular Division: Mitosis and Meiosis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t<div id=\"mmDeferVideoEncompass_P1uqWUxuBs0\" style=\"position: relative;\">\n\t\t\t<picture>\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"> \n\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" id=\"videoThumbnailImage_P1uqWUxuBs0\" data-source-videoID=\"P1uqWUxuBs0\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" alt=\"Cellular Division: Mitosis and Meiosis Video\" height=\"464\" width=\"825\" class=\"size-full\" data-matomo-title = \"Cellular Division: Mitosis and Meiosis\">\n\t\t\t<\/picture>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<style>img#videoThumbnailImage_P1uqWUxuBs0:hover {cursor:pointer;} img#videoThumbnailImage_P1uqWUxuBs0 {background-size:contain;background-image:url(\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/21-cellular-division-2-1.webp\");}<\/style>\n\t\t\t<script defer>\n\t\t\t  jQuery(\"img#videoThumbnailImage_P1uqWUxuBs0\").click(function() {\n\t\t\t\tlet videoId = jQuery(this).attr(\"data-source-videoID\");\n\t\t\t\tlet helpTag = '<div id=\"mmDeferVideoYTMessage_P1uqWUxuBs0\" style=\"display: none;position: absolute;top: -24px;width: 100%;text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;font-size: small;border-top: 1px solid #fc0;\">Having trouble? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v='+videoId+'\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to watch on YouTube.<\/a><\/span><\/div>';\n\t\t\t\tlet tag = document.createElement(\"iframe\");\n\t\t\t\ttag.id = \"yt\" + videoId;\n\t\t\t\ttag.src = \"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/\" + videoId + \"?autoplay=1&controls=1&wmode=opaque&rel=0&egm=0&iv_load_policy=3&hd=0&enablejsapi=1\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.frameborder = 0;\n\t\t\t\ttag.allow = \"autoplay; fullscreen\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.width = this.width;\n\t\t\t\ttag.height = this.height;\n\t\t\t\ttag.setAttribute(\"data-matomo-title\",\"Cellular Division: Mitosis and Meiosis\");\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_P1uqWUxuBs0\").html(tag);\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_P1uqWUxuBs0\").prepend(helpTag);\n\t\t\t\tsetTimeout(function(){jQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoYTMessage_P1uqWUxuBs0\").css(\"display\", \"block\");}, 2000);\n\t\t\t  });\n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t\n<p><script>\nfunction aG4_Function() {\n  var x = document.getElementById(\"aG4\");\n  if (x.style.display === \"none\") {\n    x.style.display = \"block\";\n  } else {\n    x.style.display = \"none\";\n  }\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"moc-toc hide-on-desktop hide-on-tablet\">\n<div><button onclick=\"aG4_Function()\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/toc2.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"show or hide table of contents\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p>On this page<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<nav id=\"aG4\" style=\"display:none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Mitosis\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Mitosis<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Meiosis\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Meiosis<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#What_is_the_difference_between_Mitosis_and_Meiosis_(PDF)\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">What is the difference between Mitosis and Meiosis? (PDF)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"accordion\"><input id=\"transcript\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"transcript\">Transcript<\/label><input id=\"FAQs\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"FAQs\">FAQs<\/label><input id=\"factsheet\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"factsheet\">Fact Sheet<\/label>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"transcript-spoiler\">\n<p>Hi, and welcome to this video on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/introduction-to-cellular-biology\/\" class=\"ylist\">cell<\/a> replication, otherwise known as mitosis or meiosis.<\/p>\n<p>First, let&#8217;s start with mitosis.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Mitosis\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Mitosis<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe primary events that occur during mitosis are <strong>interphase<\/strong> (the cell prepares for division by replicating its genetic and cytoplasmic material). Interphase can be further divided into G1, S, and G2.<\/p>\n<p>Then there&#8217;s <strong>prophase<\/strong> (the chromatin thickens into chromosomes and the nuclear membrane begins to disintegrate). Pairs of centrioles move to opposite sides of the cell and spindle fibers begin to form. The mitotic spindle formed from cytoskeleton parts moves chromosomes around within the cell.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Metaphase<\/strong> (the spindle moves to the center of the cell and chromosome pairs align along the center of the spindle structure). Then, there&#8217;s <strong>anaphase<\/strong> (the pairs of the chromosomes called sisters begin to pull apart and may bend). When they are separated, they&#8217;re called daughter chromosomes. Grooves begin to appear in the cell membrane.<\/p>\n<p>Then, there&#8217;s <strong>telophase<\/strong> (the spindle disintegrates, the nuclear membranes reform, and the chromosomes revert to chromatin.) In animal cells, the membrane is pinched. In plant cells, a new cell wall begins to form. <\/p>\n<p>Then, there&#8217;s <strong>cytokinesis<\/strong>. This is the physical splitting of the cell, including the cytoplasm, into two cells. Some believe this occurs following telophase. Others say it occurs from anaphase as the cell begins to furrow through telophase when the cell actually splits into two. <\/p>\n<p>Now, let&#8217;s talk about meiosis. <\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Meiosis\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Meiosis<\/h2>\n<p>\nMeiosis has the same phases as mitosis, but they happen twice.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, different events occur during some phases of meiosis than mitosis. The events that occur during the first phase of meiosis are interphase (I), prophase (I), metaphase (I), anaphase (I), telophase (I), and cytokinesis (I). During this first phase of meiosis, chromosomes cross over, genetic material is exchanged, and tetrads of four chromatids are formed.<\/p>\n<p>The nuclear membrane dissolves, homologous pairs of chromatids are separated and traveled to different poles. At this point, there has been one cell division resulting in two cells. Each cell goes through a second cell division, which consists of prophase (II), metaphase (II), anaphase (II), telophase (II), and cytokinesis (II).<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/image_2021-12-27_085823.png\" alt=\"Diagram comparing mitosis and meiosis side by side\" width=\"600.0176\" height=\"409.3104\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-108138\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/image_2021-12-27_085823.png 1183w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/image_2021-12-27_085823-300x205.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/image_2021-12-27_085823-1024x699.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/image_2021-12-27_085823-768x524.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1183px) 100vw, 1183px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>The result is four daughter cells, each with different single sets of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/chromosomes\/\" class=\"ylist\">chromosomes<\/a>. The daughter cells are haploid, which means they contain half the genetic material of the parent cell. The second phase of meiosis is similar to the process of mitosis, but meiosis encourages more genetic diversity.<\/p>\n<p>Thanks for watching this video on cell division!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"FAQs-spoiler\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center\"><span id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<div class=\"faq-list\">\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>Mitosis produces two diploid daughter cells which are genetically identical, while meiosis produces four haploid daughter cells that are genetically different. Only mitosis occurs asexually and therefore occurs in somatic (body) cells, while meiosis happens in germ (sex) cells.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">Which process must occur before mitosis and meiosis can occur?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>A cell must prepare for division by undergoing the process of interphase. During interphase, cells grow and make a copy of their DNA. The three steps of interphase are the G1 phase, S phase, and G2 phase.<br \/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-64605\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Cell-cycle.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"571\" height=\"584\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Cell-cycle.png 571w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Cell-cycle-293x300.png 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 571px) 100vw, 571px\" \/><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What&#8217;s evaluated at the G2 checkpoint in mitosis and meosis?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>The G2 checkpoint confirms that the cell&#8217;s DNA has been fully copied or synthesized correctly and that there are no mistakes or damage within that DNA. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">Why do some species employ both mitosis and meiosis?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>Many organisms require both processes of cell replication because meiosis only produces germ (sex) cells, while mitosis allows an organism to grow\/develop and replace damaged cells.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">Where does mitosis and meiosis occur?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>Mitosis occurs in somatic (body) cells, while meiosis happens in germ (sex) cells.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">How many daughter cells are produced in mitosis and meiosis?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>Mitosis produces two diploid daughter cells which are genetically identical, while meiosis produces four haploid daughter cells that are genetically different.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"factsheet-spoiler\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center\"><span id=\"What_is_the_difference_between_Mitosis_and_Meiosis_(PDF)\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>What is the difference between Mitosis and Meiosis? (PDF)<\/h2>\n<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"1358\" height=\"1766\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/image_2022-01-11_112915.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"Infographic comparing mitosis and meiosis. Includes definitions, comparison chart of characteristics, and diagrams of stages with key points. Bottom features photo sources and a QR code for more resources.\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/image_2022-01-11_112915.png 1358w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/image_2022-01-11_112915-231x300.png 231w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/image_2022-01-11_112915-787x1024.png 787w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/image_2022-01-11_112915-768x999.png 768w, https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/image_2022-01-11_112915-1181x1536.png 1181w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1358px) 100vw, 1358px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"sub_categories\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Mitosis-vs-Meiosis-Fact-Sheet.pdf\"><span id=\"Your_Mitosis_vs_Meiosis_PDF_Download\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Your Mitosis vs Meiosis PDF Download<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"home-buttons\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/biology\/\">Return to Biology Videos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; Return to Biology Videos<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":90919,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-31628","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"page_category-biological-processes-videos","7":"page_category-cell-biology-videos","8":"page_type-video","9":"content_type-fact-sheet","10":"subject_matter-science"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31628","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31628"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31628\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":285067,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31628\/revisions\/285067"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/90919"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31628"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}