Meiosis and mitosis. Illustration comparing meiosis (left) and mitosis (right),two forms of cell division. Chromosomes (red and blue) contain the genetic material DNA. In meiosis,a key part of sexual reproduction,genetic material is exchanged between chromosomes and a diploid cell (top,paired chromosomes) results in four haploid cells (gametes,bottom) with a single chromosome and a mix of genetic content (paternal,red; maternal,blue). In contrast,in mitosis the DNA is replicated with no changes,forming two identical daughter cells (clones,bottom right) that are identical to the original cell. For this artwork without labels,see C023/8861 |