Difference between cleavage and mitosis


Biology
2023-04-30T13:46:02+00:00

Difference between cleavage and mitosis

Introduction

The cell is the basic unit of life and reproduces in various ways. Two of them are cleavage and mitosis. Although both involve cell division, they are different processes with different results and mechanisms.

Cleavage

Cleavage it is a process of cell division that occurs in unicellular organisms and some multicellular. In it, a stem cell divides into two daughter cells equal in size and content, each with the capacity to carry out the same vital processes as the original cell. This process Division is a type of asexual reproduction, which allows the rapid proliferation of organisms in favorable situations.

  • Phases of the split:

    1. The stem cell grows and duplicates its genetic material.
    2. A cleavage furrow forms in the cell, where the cytoplasm begins to divide.
    3. The mother cell divides into two daughter cells.
  • The split has no specific phases and is a continuous process.

Mitosis

Mitosis is a cell division process that occurs in multicellular organisms for the growth and replacement of damaged or dead cells. In mitosis, a mother cell divides into two daughter cells identical in size and number of chromosomes with the same genetic information as the original cell. This process allows the daughter cells to have the same functions and characteristics as the mother cell.

  1. Phases of mitosis:

    • Prophase: chromosomes condense and mitotic spindles form in the mother cell.
    • Metaphase: The chromosomes line up at the equator of the cell and prepare to divide.
    • Anaphase: chromosomes separate and move toward opposite poles of the cell.
    • Telophase: a nuclear membrane forms around each set of chromosomes and cytokinesis (division of cytoplasm) occurs.

Conclusions

In summary, cleavage is a process of asexual cell division that occurs in unicellular and some multicellular organisms, while mitosis is a cell division process for the growth and replacement of damaged or dead cells in multicellular organisms. Although both division processes involve cell division, the mechanisms and outcomes are different.

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