Final answer:
Mitosis consists of a single division leading to two identical cells while meiosis involves two divisions resulting in four genetically unique cells. Meiosis I features the formation of tetrads which is absent in mitosis. The attachment of spindle fibers to chromosomes during meiosis I also differ from that in mitosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mitosis and meiosis share similar stages named prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, but there are fundamental differences between the two processes.
- Number of divisions: Mitosis involves a single nuclear division resulting in two genetically identical daughter cells. In contrast, meiosis encompasses two nuclear divisions yielding four genetically diverse daughter cells, each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell.
- Presence of tetrads: During meiosis I, homologous chromosomes pair up and form tetrads during metaphase I, a feature that is absent in mitosis.
- Role of centrosomes and spindle fibers: While both processes involve centrosomes, the way that spindle fibers attach to chromosomes during meiosis I is unique because they connect to each kinetochore of the homologous chromosomes in a tetrad, unlike in mitosis where each sister chromatid is attached to spindle fibers from opposite poles.
These differences contribute to the unique outcomes of meiosis and mitosis, with meiosis crucial for sexual reproduction by reducing the chromosome number by half and introducing genetic variability.