What is the main difference between meiosis and mitosis?

The main difference between meiosis and mitosis lies in their roles in an organism's life cycle. Meiosis is a specialized type of cell division that generates gametes, which are the sex cells (such as sperm and eggs). This process reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in haploid cells that can unite during fertilization to restore the diploid number in the offspring.

In contrast, mitosis is the process through which somatic or body cells divide to facilitate growth, repair, and maintenance of tissues. It maintains the original diploid chromosome number in the daughter cells, ensuring that the genetic information is preserved for regular cell functions and organism development.

Understanding the specific functions of meiosis and mitosis helps clarify their significance in reproduction and cellular processes.