MITOSIS

1. Mitosis is the process of cell division in which the genetic material of the parent cell is
duplicated, producing two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell.

2. The daughter cells each contain the diploid number of chromosomes.

3. Mitosis is important for growth because genetically identical new cells must be produced
during growth.

4. Mitosis is also required for repair. New cells are produced to replace worn-out cells that
have been destroyed or shed.

5. Mitosis occurs during asexual reproduction, producing offspring that are genetically
identical to the parents as well as to one another

The cell cycle

1. The cell cycle is the series of events that take place in a cell, resulting in cell division.

2. It consists of a period in which the cell prepares for cell division by accumulating nutrients,
increasing its size and number of organelles and replicating its DNA, called the interphase,
and the actual mitotic phase.

3. The mitotic phase consists of mitosis, which is the division of the genetic material, and
cytokinesis, which is the division of the cytoplasm.
Stages of mitosis
Interphase

1. During interphase, the cell grows, stores energy and duplicates organelles.

2. The DNA replicates and the total DNA content of the cell doubles. The chromosome
number still remains 2n.

3. The chromatin (threads of chromosomes) is in the dispersed state

Prophase

1. The chromatin condenses to form thick strands, which are visible under the light
microscope. Each duplicated chromosome appears as two identical sister chromatids joined
together at a central region called the centromere. The centromeres form X-shaped
structures.

2. The nuclear envelope disappears

Metaphase

1. The chromosomes line up along the metaphase plate, which is an imaginary line
equidistant from the two spindle poles
Anaphase

1. Each pair of sister chromatids splits at the centromeres and are pulled to the opposite
ends of the cell. Each chromatid is now called a daughter chromosome.

2. At the same time, the opposite ends of the cell move further apart.

3. The two ends of the cell now have equivalent and identical collections of chromosomes.

Telophase

1. Daughter nuclei begin to form at both ends of the cell.

2. The chromosomes in each daughter nucleus uncoil to form chromatin threads.

3. While telophase is taking place, cytokinesis occurs. Cytokinesis is not considered a part of
mitosis but is necessary for cell division.

Cytokinesis
1. Cytokinesis, the division of cytoplasm, occurs at the same time the cell is undergoing
telophase.

2. The two daughter cells are pinched apart.

3. Each daughter cell has a complete copy of the genome of the parent cell

IMPORTANCE OF MITOSIS
Mitosis is essential to life because it provides new cells for growth and for replacement of
worn-out cells. Mitosis may take minutes or hours, depending upon the kind of cells and
species of organisms. It is influenced by time of day, temperature, and chemicals