# Explain why meiosis produces cells that are genetically different from each other, while mitosis produces cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell.

> Eduqas GCSE Biology — 2.2.1 Mitosis and meiosis · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Meiosis involves two divisions (meiosis I and meiosis II), producing four cells
2. Meiosis produces cells with half the number of chromosomes (haploid) / chromosomes are shuffled/assorted independently during meiosis
3. Mitosis produces two cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell (diploid), by copying the genetic material exactly before dividing
4. Therefore mitosis daughter cells are genetically identical to the parent cell, whereas meiosis daughter cells contain different combinations of genetic information / are genetically varied

## Key terms

- [mitosis](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/mitosis)
- [meiosis](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/meiosis)
- [genetically identical](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/genetically-identical)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas GCSE Biology](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-meiosis-produces-cells-that-1f50e74b) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.