What are the differences between cleavage and cell division?
Posted November 30, 2023
Basis of differentiation |
Cleavage |
Cell division |
Definition |
Is the process of splitting or dividing a cell from a parent cell |
Cell division is the process in which a parent cell divides into two daughter cells |
Occurrence |
Occurs only in animal cells |
Occurs both in plant and animal cells |
Timespan |
Is comparatively shorter |
Is comparatively longer |
Process |
Follows nuclear division |
Follows the G2 phase of the cell cycle |
Timing |
Cleavage occurs in the early stages of embryonic development |
Cell division can occur throughout the lifetime of an individual, in both embryonic development and adulthood |
Function |
Cleavage is responsible for increasing the quantity of cells in the embryo without increasing the overall size |
Cell division plays a role in growth, repair, and reproduction in organisms |
Genetic variation |
There is no recombination of genetic material during cleavage |
Meiosis contributes to genetic diversity of species through the process of recombination |
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