What distinguishes mitosis from meiosis?

Mitosis is characterized by its ability to produce two identical diploid daughter cells, which are exact copies of the original cell. This process is essential for growth, tissue repair, and asexual reproduction in organisms. Each daughter cell receives the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell, maintaining the species' chromosome number.

In contrast, meiosis is a specialized type of cell division that results in four genetically diverse haploid cells, which are typically gametes (sperm and eggs). This reduction in chromosome number is crucial for sexual reproduction, ensuring that when gametes fuse during fertilization, the resulting organism has the appropriate diploid chromosome number.

Understanding this distinction helps clarify the roles of mitosis and meiosis in biological processes. Mitosis is a general mechanism for cell replication, while meiosis is specifically geared towards ensuring genetic diversity and maintaining chromosomal stability across generations.