Mitosis
- Ordinary cell division
- Same number of chromosomes in new cells
- New cells identical to parent cell
- For growth
- For asexual reproduction
- In body cells
Meiosis
- Reduction cell division
- Half the number of chromosomes
- New cells different mix of chromosomes and genes
- For making gametes
- For sexual reproduction
- In reproductive organs
Chromosomes are threads of DNA which carry the genetic material (genes). In humans there are 23 pairs of chromosomes. In sex chromosomes there are only half the number.
