The difference between mitosis and meiosis lies primarily in their purpose and outcomes. Mitosis is a process of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells, playing a key role in growth, repair, and asexual reproduction. In contrast, meiosis is specialized for gamete production, resulting in four genetically diverse daughter cells with half the original chromosome number, essential for sexual reproduction. This distinction underlines the fundamental variations in the roles of each process in the life cycle of organisms.