The main difference between meiosis and mitosis is the number of cell divisions and the resulting number of daughter cells. In meiosis, there are two rounds of cell division, resulting in four daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. In mitosis, there is only one round of cell division, resulting in two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
In meiosis, the chromosomes pair up and exchange genetic material during prophase I, a process known as crossing over. This results in genetic variation in the daughter cells. In mitosis, the chromosomes do not pair up or exchange genetic material, resulting in genetically identical daughter cells.
The purpose of meiosis is to produce gametes, or sex cells, with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. This is necessary for sexual reproduction, as it ensures that the offspring will have a unique combination of genetic material from both parents.
Meiosis occurs in sexually reproducing organisms, such as animals, plants, and fungi. Mitosis occurs in both sexually and asexually reproducing organisms, including bacteria, plants, animals, and fungi.
In meiosis, the chromosome number is reduced by half, from diploid (2n) to haploid (n). In mitosis, the chromosome number remains the same, with each daughter cell having the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.