Cell division by Mitosis

• Mitosis


  The process of cell division that produces two genetically identical daughter cells
• Cell cycle involving mitosis


  • DNA replication to form two copies of each chromosome
  • Chromosomes pulled to each end of the cell
  • Nucleus divides
  • Cytoplasm and cell membrane divide to form two identical cells
• Body cells contain 23 pairs of chromosomes
• Gametes have unpaired chromosomes
• Chromosomes


  Carry a large number of genes that determine many of our features
• Animals and plants contain a very large number of cells
• Cells can divide by either mitosis or meiosis
• Mitosis copies one cell into two identical cells
• Functions of mitosis


  • Essential for growth and development of multicellular organisms
  • Repairs damaged tissues
  • Occurs during asexual reproduction
• The nucleus of a cell contains chromosomes made of DNA molecules. Each chromosome carries a large number of genes.

  In body cells the chromosomes are normally found in pairs.
• During the cell cycle the genetic material is doubled and then divided into two identical cells.

  Before a cell can divide it needs to grow and increase the number of sub-cellular structures such as ribosomes and mitochondria. The DNA replicates to form two copies of each chromosome.

  In mitosis one set of chromosomes is pulled to each end of the cell and the nucleus divides.

  Finally the cytoplasm and cell membranes divide to form two identical cells.