Although mitosis and meiosis both require DNA replication during the $S$ phase and involve nuclear division, they have distinct differences. Mitosis consists of a single round of cell division producing two genetically identical diploid daughter cells. In contrast, meiosis involves two rounds of division resulting in four genetically diverse haploid daughter cells. Furthermore, homologous chromosome synapsis and chromosomal crossover occur only during prophase I of meiosis, and homologous pairs align at the metaphase plate in metaphase I of meiosis, whereas sister chromatids align at the plate during metaphase II of meiosis and metaphase of mitosis.