Final answer:
Mitosis creates diploid cells that are identical to the parent cell, while meiosis creates haploid cells with genetic diversity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Most cell division produces genetically identical cells, meaning they have the same DNA. The process of mitosis, which specifically is the division of the nucleus, ensures that each cell has the same DNA. During mitosis, the chromosomes equally separate, thus making sure each nucleus in each resulting cell after cell division is genetically identical.
In animals, meiosis is the process that creates haploid daughter cells, which have half the number of chromosomes compared to the parent cell. Meiosis involves one round of DNA duplication and two rounds of nuclear division, resulting in four haploid daughter cells. These daughter cells are not identical to each other or to the parent cell, as they undergo genetic recombination, creating genetic diversity.
In summary, during mitosis, diploid cells are created that are identical to the parent cell, while during meiosis, haploid cells with genetic diversity are produced.