| Event | Mitosis | Meiosis I | Meiosis II |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cell division | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chromosome reduction | No | Yes | No |
| Genetic variation produced | No | Yes | No |
| Crossing over | No | Yes | No |
| Random distribution of maternal and paternal chromosomes | No | Yes | No |
| Metaphase | Individual chromosomes line up | Homologous pairs line up | Individual chromosomes line up |
| Anaphase | Chromatids separate | Homologous chromosomes separate | Chromatids separate |