Meiosis and mitosis. Illustration comparing meiosis (left) and mitosis (right), two forms of cell division. Chromosomes (red and blue) contain the genetic material DNA. In meiosis, a key part of sexual reproduction, genetic material is exchanged between chromosomes and a diploid cell (top, paired chromosomes) results in four haploid cells (gametes, bottom) with a single chromosome and a mix of genetic content (paternal, red; maternal, blue). In contrast, in mitosis the DNA is replicated with no changes, forming two identical daughter cells (clones, bottom right) that are identical to the original cell. For this artwork with labels, see C023/8860.