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Why meiosis is called modified mitosis?

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Ajharul

Lvl 1
15y ago
Updated: 8/18/2019

Meiosis is very similar to mitosis. Meiosis produces two "half-cells" after the first cell division. Mitosis, however produces two fully genetically capable cells. After mitosis, the cell products can reproduce by themselves. Meiosis is a "modified" version of mitosis, meant for genetic diversity.

Mitosis probably existed way before meiosis, simply because it is easier to execute. Meiosis produces what is called a gamete. These gametes, or 'sex cells' cannot reproduce by themselves. These half-cells are meant to be combined with the complementary gamete (egg with sperm) to maximize genetic diversity and promote evolution. Mitosis is the simplified version of meiosis, and meiosis is the "modified" mitosis.

You often find mitosis in simple organisms, meant solely for reproduction purposes.

Meiosis is more common in evolutionarily advanced organisms, such as mammals.

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Wiki User

15y ago

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