| Feature | Mitosis | Meiosis |
|---|---|---|
| Number of divisions | 1 | 2 (meiosis I + II) |
| Daughter cells | 2 | 4 |
| Ploidy of daughters | Diploid (2n) | Haploid (n) |
| DNA content of daughters | 2C | 1C |
| Genetic composition | Identical to parent | Genetically diverse |
| Synapsis | Absent | Present in prophase I |
| Crossing over | Absent | Present in pachytene |
| Chiasmata | Absent | Present (visible in diplotene) |
| Bivalent formation | Absent | Present (zygotene) |
| Homologue separation | Does not occur | Anaphase I |
| Sister chromatid separation | Anaphase | Anaphase II |
| Cell type | Somatic cells | Germ cells (gonads) |
| Significance | Growth, repair, asexual reproduction | Gamete formation, genetic variation |
| Spindle | Amphitelic (sister kinetochores to opposite poles) | Meiosis I: syntelic for homologues; meiosis II: amphitelic |
Key NEET Distinction: The defining difference between the two divisions is that Meiosis I separates homologous chromosomes (reductional), while Mitosis and Meiosis II separate sister chromatids (equational).