Rate of Cell Division

Measures the ratio of cells in mitosis

to the total number of cells counted
 Certain types of cells will have a
higher mitotic index based on their
location and/or function
Root tips divide at a higher rate than
root base
 Mitotic Index = 0.58

Is this good or bad?

Depends on type of tissue

 A measure of how fast cancer cells are
dividing and growing.
Similar to mitotic index but focuses on
cancer tissue
Count the number of cells dividing in a
certain amount of cancer tissue
Mitotic rate is used to help find the stage
of melanoma (a type of skin cancer) and
other types of cancer.
Higher mitotic rates are linked with lower
survival rates.