Students should understand that meiosis leads to non-identical cells being formed while mitosis leads to identical cells being formed.
Sexual reproduction involves the joining (fusion) of male and female gametes:
- sperm and egg cells in animals
- pollen and egg cells in lowering plants.
In sexual reproduction there is mixing of genetic information which leads to variety in the offspring. The formation of gametes involves meiosis.
Asexual reproduction involves only one parent and no fusion of gametes. There is no mixing of genetic information. This leads to genetically identical offspring (clones). Only mitosis is involved.