Key Stage 3
Meaning
Mitosis is when a cell splits into two smaller, identical, cells.
Noun: Mitosis
Adjective: Mitotic
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Mitosis is part of the cell cycle in which two identical nuclei are formed and is followed by the cell division in which two identical cells are formed. Mitosis may also refer to the process of asexual reproduction where a parent cell splits into two daughter cells that are genetically identical to the parent.
About Mitosis
- Mitosis is how unicellular organisms reproduce.
- Multicellular organisms grow by cells performing mitosis.
- The 2 daughter cells are genetically identical to each other.
- Before mitosis the cell spends its time copying the chromosomes.
- During mitosis the nucleus divides into two separate nuclei.
- The two daughter cells are called diploid cells because they contain chromosomes in matching pairs.
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| A diagram showing the chromosomes during the process of mitosis. |