Mitosis is a cellular reproduction where by the cell produces the same replica having the same pattern and equal number chromosomes and genes. On the other hand, the meiosis is a process of cellular division whereby the cells that are created, have different gene patterns as well as combination with at least 50 percent of chromosome numbers from the original cell. Meiosis is usually used in reproduction cells sexually in combining female and male cells to form a new singular biological organism. Mitosis is usually used by single celled organism in reproduction or in tissue and fiber growth.
Both mitosis and meiosis are found in organisms that are complex in their functioning and those which reproduce sexually. Mitosis occurs in human being during the growth and replenishment of those organs and tissues that are depleted. It is also used in sustenance and healing of the body. Both processes are used for reproduction and creation of other organs. The cells produced have some similarities with the parent cell, in meiosis, the similarity is around 50 percent that of the parent cell. In the mitosis, the cells are 100 percent similar to the parent cell. Therefore both processes ensure that the similarity is passed on from parent cell to the other (Conly, 1999).
There are some differences between the two processes which include the variation in the number of chromosome. In meiosis, the number of chromosome is reduced by half while in mitosis; the number of chromosomes remains the same. In Meiosis, there is pairing of chromosomes while in mitosis, there is no pairing of chromosomes. The type of reproduction in meiosis is sexual and results to production of 4 cells while that of mitosis is asexual and results to production of 2 cells. The meiosis occurs in human beings, animals, plants and fungi. On the other hand, the mitosis occurs in all organisms (Conly, 1999).