Table 42-3.
| Table 42-3. Essential differences between mitosis and meiosis. | |
| Mitosis | Meiosis |
| Occurs in somatic cells | Occurs in sexual cycle cells |
| 1 cell division, 2 daughter cells | 2 cell divisions, 4 daughter cells |
| Chromosome number maintained | Chromosome number halved |
| No pairing, chromosome homologs | Synapse of homologs, prophase I |
| No crossovers | > 1 crossover per homolog pair |
| Centromeres divide, anaphase | Centromeres divide, anaphase II |
| Identical daughter genotype | Genetic variation in daughter cells |