1. Mitosis vs. Meiosis
Mitosis is the nuclear division that takes place in typical cells that allows for 2 cells with identical DNA to made. This occurs in organisms to help with growth, development, and tissue repair or regeneration.
Meiosis is the nuclear division that takes place in the gonads (ovaries and testes) that allows for 4 cells with varying DNA and only one copy (haploid) of each chromosome. These cells created are called gametes.

2. Meiosis Steps First nuclear division Second nuclear division
46 X’s (big chromosomes) split into 2 nuclei with 23 X’s (one of each kind of chromosome)
Second nuclear division
23 X’s split into 2 nuclei with 23 single copy chromosomes much like happens in mitosis.
Cytokinesis follows both divisions, but interphase only follows second division.

4. Meiosis (Prophase I) Two pairs of homologous chromosomes = tetrad
Trading chromosome pieces in the pair is called crossing over. This increase variation as you can pass on one chromosome with a piece of the second.

5. When
Mitosis: throughout life in some cells, but cell division stops in nerve cells and muscle cells early in life (2-3 years old).
Meiosis:
Females: Begins before two years old, then starts again during puberty with one egg made each month. Menopause is when eggs are no longer formed.
Males: Happens throughout life from puberty to death.

6. Result Mitosis: 2 Diploid cells with 46 single copy chromosomes.
Meiosis: 4 haploid cells with 23 single copy chromosomes (one of each kind)
Males: All four are viable cells (sperm)
Females: Of the four cells created, only one will become an egg and the other three becoming polar bodies with little cytoplasm, yet having the full 23 chromosomes.