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The difference between metaphase 1 in meiosis and metaphase in mitosis lies in how the chromosomes align and separate:
In metaphase 1 of meiosis:
- Tetrads, which are pairs of homologous chromosomes, align at the center of the cell.
- This alignment ensures that each chromosome from the paternal side pairs with its corresponding chromosome from the maternal side.
- This process leads to genetic variation as crossing over can occur between homologous chromosomes.
In metaphase of mitosis:
- Sister chromatids, which are identical copies of the same chromosome, align at the center of the cell.
- The sister chromatids separate and move towards opposite poles of the cell during anaphase.
- The end result is two identical diploid daughter cells, each containing the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
Therefore, the key distinction is that in metaphase 1 of meiosis, tetrads align at the center, while in metaphase of mitosis, sister chromatids align and separate to opposite sides. This difference plays a crucial role in the genetic diversity generated by meiosis compared to the identical daughter cells produced in mitosis.
