Mitosis and Meiosis

• Mitosis: a type of cell division that results in two daughter cells each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus, typical of ordinary tissue growth
• Meiosis: a type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell, as in the production of gametes and plant spores
• Interphase: the resting phase between successive mitotic divisions of a cell, or between the first and second divisions of meiosis.
• Prophase: the first stage of cell division, before metaphase, during which the chromosomes condense and become visible as paired chromatids and the nuclear envelope breaks down. Spindle fibres begin to form. The first prophase of meiosis includes the reduction division.
• Metaphase: the second stage of cell division, between prophase and anaphase, during which the chromosomes line up in the middle of the cell, preparing for separation.
• Anaphase: the third stage of cell division, between metaphase and telophase, during which the chromosomes move away from one another to opposite poles of the cell. This ensures that each new cell gets the correct number of chromosomes.
• Telophase: the final phase of cell division, between anaphase and interphase, in which the cell is getting ready to divide into two new cells. The chromatids or chromosomes move to opposite ends of the cell and two nuclei are formed.
• Cytokinesis: the cytoplasmic division of a cell at the end of mitosis or meiosis, bringing about the separation into two daughter cells.