What is the main difference between mitosis and meiosis?

The key distinction between mitosis and meiosis lies in their functions and outcomes. Mitosis is primarily involved in growth, repair, and asexual reproduction, resulting in two identical daughter cells that maintain the same chromosome number and genetic makeup as the original cell. This process ensures that cells produced are genetically identical, which is critical for processes such as tissue repair and cellular homeostasis.

In contrast, meiosis is specifically responsible for producing gametes—sperm and eggs in animals—through two rounds of division, ultimately resulting in four genetically diverse cells. The genetic diversity is introduced through mechanisms such as crossing over during prophase I and independent assortment of chromosomes, which shuffle alleles and create variation among the gametes. This genetic variation is essential for evolution and the adaptability of populations.

Thus, the assertion that mitosis produces two identical daughter cells while meiosis results in four genetically diverse gametes accurately captures the fundamental differences between these two types of cell division.