Question

There are two different forms of cell division – Mitosis and meiosis. Why do we need two forms? Do all cells use both forms? Why do you think that this is true? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each form of cell division?

Answer 1

Hint: When a cell splits also known as the cell division, it produces two or more daughter cells. Numerous species rely on this mechanism for survival. Multicellular organisms utilise it in order to develop, restore (repair), and reproduce themselves.

Complete answer:
Mitosis and meiosis are the two forms of cell division. It is the process of mitosis that produces new body cells, whereas meiosis produces egg and sperm cells. Mitosis is a vital mechanism for life to function. At the end of the mitosis, a cell produces two identical daughter cells by duplicating all of its contents, including its chromosomes. Because mitosis is such a vital process, particular genes are responsible for carefully regulating each stage. With the meiotic cell division, people inherit the same amount of genes from generation to generation. A two-step process reduces the number of chromosomes in half.
Image showing two forms of cell-division

Two forms of cell divisions are required as both these forms have various functions. Mitosis is a body repairing form of cell division, which helps in replacing damaged or dead cells. Meiosis on the other hand, helps in maintaining the same number of chromosomes from one generation to another generation.
All cells do not use both these forms of cell divisions, and this factor depends upon the type of cell. For example, mitosis occurs in somatic cells (the cell which forms the body of a multicellular organism) whereas meiosis takes place in germ cells which are biological cells which contribute in sexual reproduction through gametes.
Both methods of cell division have their advantages and disadvantages. Meiosis and meiosis are compared in the following table:

Cell Division	Advantage	Disadvantage
Mitosis	Helps in easily replicating the cells and also produces sister chromosomes.	Due to the lack of genetic diversity, mitosis poses a danger for the same diseases/disorders from generation to generation.
Meiosis	It creates genetic diversity in the body.	Meiosis has the drawback of requiring two gametes.

Note:
When German botanist Hugo von Mohl examined the green alga Cladophora glomerata in 1835, he discovered the first cell division under the microscope. For the first time, Kurt Michel used a phase-contrast microscope to film cell division in the year 1943.