Mitosis
- This is the division of somatic/body cells. These cells are diploid which means they have the full number of chromosomes – 46.
- When a cell divides by mitosis it makes two cells identical to the original cell, each with a nucleus containing the same 46 chromosomes.
- This type of cell division is for growing/replacing cells that have been damaged, or simply growth.
- Asexual reproduction also uses mitosis, such as strawberry plants.
The process
- Before a cell divides, the DNA is spread out in long strings.
- When a cell divides, its DNA needs to be duplicated so there is one copy for each new cell. Each DNA is copied and forms an X-shaped chromosome. Each ‘arm’ of the chromosome is an exact duplicate of the other.
- These chromosomes line up at the equator of the cell. Spindle fibres attached to these, at either side of the cell, are pulled apart. As a result, the two arms of each chromosomes go to opposite ends of the clel.
- Membranes being to form around each set of chromosomes. These become the nuclei of the two ne cells.
- The cytoplasm divides.
- Two new diploid cells have been formed which are genetically identical.
