mitosis

• 2 daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent cell and each other
• interphase is the longest phase of the cell cycle and is when the cell grows and replicates its DNA, organelles replicate and proteins such as histones and enzymes are synthesised requiring ATP
• prophase

  1. chromosomes condense (coil, get shorter and thicker) and become visible
  2. centrioles are present in animal cells. pairs separate and move to opposite ends of the cell
  3. spindle fibres form
  4. nuclear envelope disintegrates
• metaphase

  1. chromosomes attach to spindle fibres by their centromeres and line up on the equator
• anaphase

  1. centromere separates and spindle fibres shorten pulling the now separated chromatids to the poles - centromere first
• telophase

  1. chromosomes uncoil and lengthen
  2. spindle fibres break down
  3. nuclear envelope reforms and nucleolus reappears
• cytokinesis - division of the cytoplasm to make two new cells
• significance of mitosis

  1. growth, replace dead cells and repair damaged tissue
  2. asexual reproduction - bacteria
• damage and disease

  cell cycle is controlled to make sure mitosis only happens where and when it is needed - if this gene is damages cell replication goes out of control and causes cancer