Cell division is the overarching process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells, while mitosis is a specific type of cell division.
Here's a breakdown of the key differences:
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Cell Division (General Term): Refers to any process where a cell divides into new cells. It's a broad category that includes both mitosis and meiosis, as well as other less common forms in certain organisms.
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Mitosis (Specific Type): A type of cell division that results in two daughter cells each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus, typical of ordinary tissue growth. Mitosis is used for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction in eukaryotic cells. The daughter cells are genetically identical to the parent cell.
In essence, mitosis is one particular method of cell division, but cell division itself encompasses different mechanisms including mitosis and meiosis. When people mention cell division, they often mean mitosis. Meiosis is used specifically for creating sex cells (sperm and egg), which have half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
| Feature | Cell Division (General) | Mitosis |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Any process of cell splitting. | A specific type of cell division. |
| Types | Mitosis, Meiosis, Binary Fission, etc. | (Mitosis itself has substages: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase) |
| Purpose | Growth, reproduction, repair, etc. | Growth, repair, asexual reproduction. |
| Genetic Result | Varies depending on the specific type. | Daughter cells are genetically identical. |
Think of it this way: "Cell division" is like saying "cars," while "mitosis" is like saying "sedans." A sedan is a type of car, and mitosis is a type of cell division.
