Final answer:
Mitosis is a cell division process for growth and repair, producing identical daughter cells, while meiosis generates haploid gametes for sexual reproduction, creating genetic diversity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Functions of Mitosis and Meiosis
Mitosis and meiosis are fundamental processes in the cell cycle that serve distinct but essential roles in the development and reproduction of organisms. Mitosis primarily occurs for the growth or repair of tissues. During mitosis, a parent cell divides to produce two genetically identical daughter cells, which means it can contribute to the growth of an organism by adding cells to various parts of the body and replacing dead or damaged cells. It is a form of asexual reproduction in some organisms.
Meiosis, on the other hand, is the process by which haploid cells (gametes) are produced from diploid cells in sexually reproducing organisms. The diploid cells undergo one round of chromosome duplication followed by two rounds of nuclear division, resulting in four haploid daughter cells that are genetically distinct from one another thanks to processes like crossing-over and independent assortment. These haploid cells contribute to the genetic diversity of a species when they fuse during fertilization, leading to diploid offspring with mixed genetic material from both parents.
In the life cycle of plants, mitosis occurs in growth phases as well as for producing eggs and sperm in both haploid and diploid states. Meiosis transpires during the production of gametes, ensuring sexual reproduction and genetic diversity.