Mitosis

Definition

Mitosis is a type of cell division that results in two genetically identical daughter cells, each having the same number of chromosomes as the original cell. This process is crucial for growth, development, and tissue repair in multicellular organisms. Mitosis ensures that when cells divide, the genetic material is accurately replicated and distributed, maintaining genetic stability across generations of cells.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Mitosis is divided into several stages: prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase, each with specific events that prepare and complete cell division.
2. During prophase, the chromatin condenses into visible chromosomes, and the nuclear envelope breaks down.
3. In metaphase, chromosomes align at the cell's equatorial plane, ensuring they are properly separated.
4. Anaphase involves the pulling apart of sister chromatids to opposite poles of the cell, ensuring each daughter cell receives an identical set of chromosomes.
5. Mitosis is essential not just for growth but also for repairing damaged tissues, as it replaces old or injured cells with new ones.

Review Questions

• How does mitosis contribute to tissue repair in multicellular organisms?
  • Mitosis plays a critical role in tissue repair by allowing damaged or lost cells to be replaced. When injury occurs, nearby cells undergo mitosis to proliferate and fill in the gaps left by damaged tissues. This process helps restore normal function and structure to tissues. The accuracy of mitosis ensures that new cells have the same genetic material as the original cells, maintaining tissue integrity during healing.
• What are the key differences between mitosis and cytokinesis in terms of their roles in cell division?
  • Mitosis is focused on the division of the nucleus and distribution of replicated chromosomes to ensure each daughter cell receives an identical genetic complement. In contrast, cytokinesis is the process that physically divides the cytoplasm and organelles of the parent cell to form two distinct daughter cells. While mitosis ensures genetic continuity, cytokinesis completes the overall division process by separating cellular components.
• Evaluate how errors in mitosis can lead to conditions such as cancer and genetic disorders.
  • Errors during mitosis can lead to improper chromosome segregation, resulting in daughter cells with an abnormal number of chromosomes. This condition, known as aneuploidy, can contribute to genetic disorders or increase the likelihood of developing cancer. When cells acquire mutations due to faulty mitotic processes, they may grow uncontrollably, leading to tumor formation. Therefore, understanding mitosis is crucial in cancer research and genetic studies to address how disruptions can affect cellular function.

Related terms

Interphase: The phase of the cell cycle where the cell prepares for division, including DNA replication and preparation for mitosis.

Cytokinesis: The process that follows mitosis, where the cytoplasm of a parent cell divides to form two daughter cells.

Chromatid: One of the two identical halves of a duplicated chromosome, which are separated during mitosis.