1.Mitosis

Mitosis takes place in somatic cells or body cells which results in growth of an organism.In mitosis each parent cell divides into two daughter cells.The chromosome number of the daugter cells formed is same as the parent cell.

Mitosis is further divided into four substages :

1. Prophase
2. Metaphase
3. Anaphase
4.Telophase

Before getting into the Prophase stage of mitosis the parent cell prepares itself for division in the Interphase or resting stage of the cell cycle.

In Interphase following changes occur in the parent cell :

a.Nuclear membrane disappears
b.Nucleolus starts fading away.
c.Cell increases in size.

Substages of mitosis

1.Prophase

In prophase the following changes takes place :

~Nuclear membrane fades away.
~Chromosomes become thick and clearly visible.
~Nucleolus starts fading away.
~Each chromosome splits into two Chromatida.

2.Metapase

In metaphase the following changes takes place :

~ It becomes clear that chromosome consist of two parallel strands called chromatids.
~Chromosomes arrange themselves at equitorial planes.

3. Anaphase

In anaphase the following changes takes place :

~Chromosomes arrange themselves at equitorial planes.
~The chromosomes bent around the centromere showing “V”,”J”,”L” shape.

4.Telophase

In telophase the following changes takes place :

~Chrmosomes reach opposite poles and uncoil.
~A new nuclear membrane starts to form around the new sets of chromosomes.
~Nucleoli appears at both ends.

After these processes the process called Karyokinesis(division of nucleus) followed by Cytokinesis(division of cytoplasm) takes place.

Difference between plant and animal mitosis

1.Absence of celntrioles(in plants)
2.Formation of cell plate(in plants)

Significane of Mitosis

1. It helps in growth of cells, tissues and thus organism.
2.It helps in repairing damaged cell,tissues,etc.
3.It helps in reproduction
4.Hereditary characters are maintained.

2.Meiosis

Meiosis takes place in germ cells or reproductive cells.In meiosis the chromesome number is halved.Meiosis results in the formation of Zygote.Daughter cells formed differ from parent cell.

Meiosis is further divided into four substages :

1. Prophase 1
2. Metaphase 1
3. Anaphase 1
4.Telophase 1

Significance of Meiosis

1.Genetic variations occur.
2.Zygote formation takes place.
3.It takes place in Sperm(male) and Ova(female).