What is Mitosis? Definition, Meaning & Example
The process of cell division that produces two identical daughter cells from one parent cell.
TL;DR: The process of cell division that produces two identical daughter cells from one parent cell.
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Mitosis: The process of cell division that produces two identical daughter cells from one parent cell.
Explanation
Mitosis is crucial for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction in organisms. It consists of four main stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. During mitosis, the parent cell's genetic material is duplicated and equally distributed to daughter cells. This ensures that each new cell receives an exact copy of the DNA. In human growth from childhood to adulthood, mitosis enables the increase in cell number and tissue repair from injuries.
Example
When a skin cell divides by mitosis to repair a cut, it produces two identical daughter skin cells that each contain the same 46 chromosomes as the parent cell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is mitosis important for growth?
Mitosis increases the number of cells in an organism, allowing it to grow larger and replace damaged tissues.
How is mitosis different from meiosis?
Mitosis produces two identical daughter cells with the same chromosome number, while meiosis produces four different cells with half the chromosome number for sexual reproduction.
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