mitosis is a type of cell division with many vital functions including embryonic development promoting tissue growth after birth and replacing damaged or dying cells in the body in mitosis there is one Division and the resulting two daughter cells contain the same number of chromosomes as the parental cell these cells are are called diploid cells because they contain 23 pairs of chromosomes with each pair containing one maternal and one paternal chromosome after DNA replication mitosis begins with prophase during which chromatin condenses into chromosomes each consisting of two identical sister chromatids the new nuclear envelope dissolves and spindle fibers begin to grow from the cell centrioles during metaphase the spindle fibers pull the chromosomes into alignment in the center of the cell in anaphase each chromosome consisting of two genetically identical chromatids splits in two each chromatid now considered a single stranded daughter chrom chromosome migrates to the opposite end of the cell from its twin during tilo phase nuclear envelopes reform around the chromosomes as the cell finishes dividing meiosis is a type of cell division with one purpose to produce eggs in sperm called gametes in meiosis there are two divisions in succession resulting in four daughter cells each daughter cell contains half the number of chromosomes of the initial parental cell the daughter cells are called haid cells because they contain 23 unpaired chromosomes after DNA replication the first cell division or myosis 1 begins with prophase 1 during which chromosomes condense laid in prophase 1 chromatids in each pair break and exchange corresponding sections of DNA in a process called crossing over thus creating new combinations of genes during metaphase 1 homologous chromosome pairs line up in the center of the cell each pair can line up randomly from left to right in a process called independent ass assortment in anaphase 1 each pair of chromosomes separates and in tase 1 the cell divides resulting in two haid daughter cells the second myotic division or meiosis 2 begins with prophase 2 during which the cell prepares to divide again in metaphase 2 the chromosomes line up in the center of the cell during anaphase 2 each chromosome is pulled apart into two sister chromatids each now considered a single stranded chromosome in tilo Phase 2 the two cells divide resulting in four haid daughter cells once meiosis is complete the male and female gametes each contain a unique set of 23 singl stranded Chrome mosomes ultimately resulting in the genetic variability of humans once these gametes meet they become a single fertilized cell called a zygote the zygote has 46 chromosomes and continues to develop using mitosis