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Meiosis, conversely, produces sperm and egg cells, or gametes (also spores in plants/fungi). Mitosis serves the function of creating sex cells, which are crucial in sexual reproduction and genetic diversity. According to Helmenstine, diploid parent cells (2n) create four non-identical haploid (n) daughter cells after TWO rounds of cell division (2024). These haploid daughter cells carry 23 chromosomes. In prophase, unlike the prophase of mitosis, crossing over DOES occur. This is followed by a metaphase where homologous pairs align—the first anaphase results in homologues, the second with chromatids. Genetic variation is created via chromosome behavior, namely crossing-over and independent assortment, contributing to the diversity of sperm and egg cells. When combined with the randomness of fertilization, these processes explain Mendel's law of independent assortment, "which states that alleles for different genes assort independently during gamete formation" (The Law of, 2025).

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Mitosis and Meiosis are cell division processes that occur within eukaryotes. These mechanisms "ensure growth, development, and genetic diversity in organisms" (Helmenstine, 2024). Mitosis and Meiosis differ fundamentally in function and results. Mitosis, part of the cell cycle, serves the functions of tissue repair, growth, and, in some organisms, asexual reproduction. Mitosis is the cell division process that creates "two genetically identical daughter cells from a single parent cell" (Helmenstine, 2024). Parent cells are diploid (2n), and so are the two identical (diploid) daughter cells. These daughter cells have 46 chromosomes. Only one round of cell division takes place.   

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Fowler, S., Roush, R. & Wise, J. (2023, January 9). Concepts of biology. Open Stax College

Helmenstine, A. (2024, December 11). Mitosis vs. Meiosis. Science Notes. https://sciencenotes.org/mitosis-vs-meiosis/

Meiosis. (2025). ScienceFacts.net. https://www.sciencefacts.net/meiosis.html

Mitosis. (2025). ScienceFacts.net. https://www.sciencefacts.net/mitosis.html

The Law of Independent Assortment. (2025). Khan Academy. https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-biology/heredity/mendelian-genetics-ap/a/the-law-of-independent-assortment

# data[].attributes.body
Fowler, S., Roush, R. & Wise, J. (2023, January 9). Concepts of biology. Open Stax College

Helmenstine, A. (2024, December 11). Mitosis vs. Meiosis. Science Notes. https://sciencenotes.org/mitosis-vs-meiosis/

Meiosis. (2025). ScienceFacts.net. https://www.sciencefacts.net/meiosis.html

Mitosis. (2025). ScienceFacts.net. https://www.sciencefacts.net/mitosis.html

The Law of Independent Assortment . (2025). Khan Academy. https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-biology/heredity/mendelian-genetics-ap/a/the-law-of-independent-assortment