A process where one parent cell

gives rise to two daughter cells that

are exact replicas of the original
cell means that they have the same
number of chromosomes in their
DNA.
 interphase

G1:
Growth of daughter cell
Duplication of organelles
other than nucleus

nuclear division anaphase S:

Replication of
DNA
G2: Cell checks
DNA and makes any
repairs. Cell prepares
for division
 Cells divide to make more
cells. While all the other
organelles can be randomly
separated into the daughter
cells, the chromosomes
must be precisely divided so
that each daughter cell gets
exactly the same DNA.
 It is essential for the cell to
divide but there are a
number of cells which do
not divide, they include the
Red blood cells, neurons,
liver lining and the kidney
lining.
 The essential part of a
chromosome is a single
very long strand of
DNA. This DNA contains
all the genetic
information for creating
and running the
organism.
 Before a cell divides,
an exact copy of DNA is
made. This process is
known as replication.
 Replication is essential
to ensure that each
daughter cell receive
the same genetic
material as is present
in parent cell.
 The result is a pair of
sister chromatids.
A chromatid is the copy
of chromosome produce
by replication.
 Each chromatid is
attached to its other
copy or sister at a point
of constriction called
centromere.
 Bound to each
centromere is a disk of
protein called a
kinetochore, which
eventually is an
attachment site for
microtubule of
mitotic spindles.
 This phase encompasses all of the G1,S, and G2 phases of the
cell cycle. The chromatin is diffuse.
 It may not look like much is going on here, but there is a lot
of activity because the cell must prepare for Mitosis: protein
synthesis, DNA synthesis, replication of other cellular
structures too.

 Onion root tip (on left side), whitefish (on right side)
 1. The chromosomes condense.
The proteins attached to the
DNA cause the chromosomes to
go from long thin structures to
short fat one, which makes them
easier to pull apart.
 2. The nuclear envelope
disappears. The double
membrane that surround the
nucleus dissolves into a
collection of small vesicles,
freeing the chromosomes to use
the whole cell for division
 3. The centrosomes move to
opposite poles. During
interphase, the pair of
centrosomes were together
just outside the nucleus. In
prophase they separate and
move to opposite ends of the
cell.
 4. The spindle starts to form,
growing out of the
centrosomes towards the
chromosomes.

 Onion root tip (top photo), whitefish (bottom

photo)
 Metaphase is a short
resting period where the
chromosomes are lined
up on the equator of the
cell, with the
centrosomes at opposite
ends and the spindle
fibers attached to the
centromeres. Everything
is aligned for the rest of
the division process to
occur.
Onion root tip Whitefish
 In anaphase, the
centromeres divide. At this
point, each individual
chromosome goes from:
 1 chromosome with 2 chromatids
to
 2 chromosomes with one
chromatid each.

 The sister chromatids

separate and are pulled to
opposite sides of the cell
 It is the shortest phase in
the cell division.
 whitefish

Onion root tip

 In telophase, the
chromosomes are at the
poles of the spindle.
 The spindle disintegrates
 The nuclear envelope re-
forms around the two
sets of chromosomes.
 The cytoplasm is divided
into 2 separate cells, the
process of cytokinesis.
Cytokinesis
 The cytoplasm and all its
contents are divided between
the 2 daughter cells
(cytoplasmic division)
 The red arrow points at the
newly developing plasma (cell)
membrane that creates the 2
new daughter cells
 The 2 daughter cells are exact
replicas of the original parent
cell – they are clones and have
the exact same genetic make-up
as the parent cell.

 Onion root tip (top photo), whitefish (bottom photo)

 Plant and animal cells divide
the cytoplasm in different
ways.
 In plant cells, a new cell wall
made of cellulose forms
between the 2 new nuclei,
about where the chromosomes
lined up in metaphase. Cell
membranes form along the
surfaces of this wall. When the
new wall joins with the
existing side wall, the 2 cells
have become separate.
 In animal cells, a ring forms
around the cell equator and
contacts, pinching the cell in
half.
 Prophase:
 Chromosomes condense
 Nuclear envelope disappears
 centrosomes move to opposite sides of the cell
 Spindle forms and attaches to centromeres on the
chromosomes

 Metaphase
 Chromosomes lined up on equator of spindle
 centrosomes at opposite ends of cell

 Anaphase
 Centromeres divide: each 2-chromatid chromosome
becomes two 1-chromatid chromosomes
 Chromosomes pulled to opposite poles by the spindle

 Telophase
 Chromosomes de-condense
 Nuclear envelope reappears
 Cytokinesis: the cytoplasm is divided into 2 cells
 Genetic stability: Since the daughter chromosomes are
derived from the parental chromosome by exact
replication of their DNA. This results in genetic stability
within populations.
 Growth: The number of cells within an organism increases
 Cell replacement: Mitosis also involves the replacement of
worn out cells.
 Asexual reproduction: Mitosis is the basis of asexual
reproduction, that is the production of new individuals of a
species by one parent organism for example, vegetative
propagation in plants.
 Regeneration: Some animals are able to regenerate whole
parts of the body, such as arms in starfish so the
production of new cells involves Mitosis.