Question clue: “Two identical daughter cells”
Answer: Mitosis
What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis?
Mitosis makes two genetically identical diploid body cells for growth, repair, and replacement. Meiosis makes four genetically different haploid gametes for sexual reproduction. Mitosis keeps chromosome number the same, while meiosis cuts chromosome number in half.
Say it fast
Mitosis copies. Meiosis shuffles and halves.
AP exam tip: If an AP Biology question mentions gametes, haploid cells, crossing over, independent assortment, or genetic variation, think meiosis. If it mentions growth, repair, replacement, or identical daughter cells, think mitosis.
Mitosis vs Meiosis Comparison Table
| Feature | Mitosis | Meiosis | AP Biology Clue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Growth, repair, replacement | Gamete formation and heredity | Body cells vs gametes |
| Number of divisions | One | Two | Meiosis I and meiosis II |
| Number of daughter cells | Two | Four | 2 vs 4 |
| Genetic similarity | Identical | Different | Variation means meiosis |
| Chromosome number | Same as parent cell | Half of parent cell | Diploid to haploid means meiosis |
| Cell type produced | Somatic/body cells | Gametes | Sperm/egg/pollen/ovules means meiosis |
| Where it happens | Somatic tissues | Germ-line cells | Gamete-producing tissue |
| Role in reproduction | Asexual growth and repair | Sexual reproduction | Gametes fuse at fertilization |
| Source of variation | Usually none (clones) | Crossing over, independent assortment, fertilization | Variation clues point to meiosis |
| Key chromosome event | Sister chromatids separate | Homologous chromosomes separate in meiosis I | Homologs vs sister chromatids |
| Final result | Two identical diploid cells | Four genetically different haploid gametes | Compare products on every FRQ |
Mitosis Makes Identical Body Cells
Mitosis is one round of cell division that produces two genetically identical daughter cells. In multicellular organisms, mitosis supports growth, repair, and replacement. It maintains chromosome number because each daughter cell receives the same chromosome set as the parent cell.
AP clue: If the question asks how an organism grows, replaces damaged cells, or maintains chromosome number, the answer is usually mitosis.
Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase organize and separate sister chromatids. You do not need every subphase detail for a mitosis vs meiosis comparison—focus on identical diploid products.
Meiosis Makes Haploid Gametes
Meiosis includes two divisions. Meiosis I separates homologous chromosomes and reduces chromosome number. Meiosis II separates sister chromatids. The final result is four genetically different haploid gametes.
For a full walkthrough of stages and diagrams, open the meiosis study guide.
Say it fast
Meiosis I separates homologous chromosomes. Meiosis II separates sister chromatids.
Chromosome Number: Diploid vs Haploid
Diploid cells have two sets of chromosomes. Haploid cells have one set. Mitosis usually starts diploid and ends diploid. Meiosis starts diploid and ends haploid. Fertilization restores diploid chromosome number in the zygote.
In humans, body cells are diploid with 46 chromosomes. Human gametes are haploid with 23 chromosomes. Fertilization restores 46 chromosomes in the zygote.
Direct answer: Mitosis maintains chromosome number. Meiosis reduces chromosome number.
Why Meiosis Creates Genetic Variation
Mitosis usually produces identical cells because sister chromatids separate evenly. Meiosis creates variation because homologous chromosomes can exchange DNA and sort randomly.
- Crossing over — DNA exchange during prophase I (crossing over guide)
- Independent assortment — random chromosome orientation during meiosis I (independent assortment guide)
- Random fertilization — random gamete fusion after meiosis
This page compares division types; deep dives live on the linked meiosis variation guides above.
How to Identify Mitosis vs Meiosis on AP Questions
Question clue: “Four haploid gametes”
Answer: Meiosis
Question clue: “Homologous chromosomes separate”
Answer: Meiosis I
Question clue: “Sister chromatids separate”
Answer: Mitosis or Meiosis II
Question clue: “Crossing over occurs”
Answer: Meiosis
Question clue: “Growth and repair”
Answer: Mitosis
AP Bio Exam Clues for Mitosis vs Meiosis
Gamete
→ Meiosis
Haploid
→ Meiosis
Growth
→ Mitosis
Repair
→ Mitosis
Genetic variation
→ Meiosis
Crossing over
→ Meiosis
Independent assortment
→ Meiosis
Identical daughter cells
→ Mitosis
Homologous chromosomes separate
→ Meiosis I
Sister chromatids separate
→ Mitosis or Meiosis II
Common Mitosis vs Meiosis Mistakes
Saying meiosis makes identical cells
Fix: Meiosis makes genetically different gametes.
Saying mitosis makes gametes
Fix: Mitosis makes body cells. Meiosis makes gametes.
Confusing homologous chromosomes and sister chromatids
Fix: Homologous chromosomes separate in meiosis I. Sister chromatids separate in mitosis and meiosis II.
Forgetting chromosome number
Fix: Mitosis maintains chromosome number. Meiosis reduces it.
Saying crossing over happens in mitosis
Fix: In AP Biology, crossing over is tested as a meiosis event during prophase I.
Thinking "diploid" means duplicated
Fix: Diploid means two sets of chromosomes. Duplicated means chromosomes have sister chromatids.
Identify the Division
Revealed: 0 of 4 scenarios
A cell divides once and produces two genetically identical daughter cells.
Answer: Mitosis.
A diploid cell produces four haploid gametes.
Answer: Meiosis.
Homologous chromosomes pair and crossing over occurs.
Answer: Meiosis, specifically prophase I.
A damaged skin cell is replaced by a new identical cell.
Answer: Mitosis.
Mitosis vs Meiosis Practice Questions
Answer all eight questions. Choices shuffle on reload—focus on comparison clues, not letter memorization.
Question 1 of 8
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More drills: Unit 5 practice questions.
Mitosis vs Meiosis FRQ Practice
Open each card, draft your response, then reveal the rubric and sample answer.
0 of 2 FRQs opened
Prompt
A student says mitosis and meiosis are the same because both involve cell division and chromosome movement. Explain why this claim is incomplete.
Scoring rubric
- Both processes involve cell division and chromosome movement.
- Mitosis has one division and produces two genetically identical daughter cells.
- Meiosis has two divisions and produces four genetically different haploid gametes.
- Meiosis reduces chromosome number and increases genetic variation.
Sample response
The claim is incomplete because mitosis and meiosis have different purposes and outcomes. Mitosis has one division and produces two genetically identical body cells that maintain chromosome number. Meiosis has two divisions and produces four genetically different haploid gametes. Meiosis also increases genetic variation through crossing over and independent assortment.
Status: Draft your answer first—then open the rubric or sample.
Prompt
A diploid organism produces gametes for sexual reproduction. Explain why meiosis, not mitosis, is required.
Scoring rubric
- Gametes must be haploid.
- Meiosis reduces chromosome number from diploid to haploid.
- Fertilization restores diploid number.
- Meiosis also creates genetic variation.
Sample response
Meiosis is required because gametes must contain half the chromosome number of body cells. If gametes were diploid, fertilization would double chromosome number each generation. Meiosis reduces chromosome number from diploid to haploid, and fertilization restores the diploid number. Meiosis also creates genetic variation through crossing over and independent assortment.
Status: Draft your answer first—then open the rubric or sample.
Mitosis vs Meiosis FAQs
What is the main difference between mitosis and meiosis?
Mitosis makes two genetically identical diploid body cells for growth and repair. Meiosis makes four genetically different haploid gametes for sexual reproduction.
Does mitosis or meiosis make gametes?
Meiosis makes gametes such as sperm and eggs. Mitosis makes somatic body cells.
Does mitosis or meiosis make identical cells?
Mitosis usually makes genetically identical daughter cells. Meiosis makes genetically different gametes.
How many daughter cells are made in mitosis and meiosis?
Mitosis makes two daughter cells after one division. Meiosis makes four haploid gametes after two divisions.
What happens to chromosome number in mitosis vs meiosis?
Mitosis maintains chromosome number. Meiosis reduces chromosome number from diploid to haploid.
Why does meiosis create genetic variation?
Meiosis creates variation through crossing over, independent assortment, and the fusion of different gametes at fertilization.
Is crossing over part of mitosis or meiosis?
Crossing over occurs during prophase I of meiosis, not during typical mitosis questions on the AP exam.
What is the difference between meiosis I and mitosis?
Meiosis I separates homologous chromosomes and reduces chromosome number. Mitosis separates sister chromatids and usually maintains chromosome number.
Do sister chromatids separate in mitosis or meiosis?
Sister chromatids separate in mitosis and in meiosis II. Homologous chromosomes separate in meiosis I.
How should I answer mitosis vs meiosis FRQs?
Compare purpose, number of divisions, daughter cells, chromosome number, genetic similarity, and sources of variation. Use process-specific vocabulary such as homologous chromosomes and haploid gametes.