Mitosis: The process of cell division and growth explained
The process of cell division begins with cell growth and nuclear doubling and ends with cytokinesis, the physical separation of the two identical daughter cells.
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Transcript
Growth is a basic property of all living things. Multicelled plants and animals grow by producing additional cells.
When a cell reaches its maximum size, it reproduces itself by dividing into two new cells. This process, in which one cell divides into two, is called mitosis. To be complete, each new cell must have its own nucleus containing a complete set of chromosomes, which carry the cell’s genetic information.
The process of creating two new cells begins once a cell has duplicated its chromosomes. In this state each chromosome consists of a joined pair of identical replicas called chromatids. The chromosomes condense and line up across the center of the nucleus. The membrane surrounding the nucleus fragments and disappears.
As mitosis proceeds each chromatid pair splits. Now there are two complete sets of chromosomes. They move apart, each becoming enveloped within a nucleus. The cytoplasm now divides roughly in half as the cell membrane grows down the middle.
Finally, the two cells separate, and the process of growth begins again.
When a cell reaches its maximum size, it reproduces itself by dividing into two new cells. This process, in which one cell divides into two, is called mitosis. To be complete, each new cell must have its own nucleus containing a complete set of chromosomes, which carry the cell’s genetic information.
The process of creating two new cells begins once a cell has duplicated its chromosomes. In this state each chromosome consists of a joined pair of identical replicas called chromatids. The chromosomes condense and line up across the center of the nucleus. The membrane surrounding the nucleus fragments and disappears.
As mitosis proceeds each chromatid pair splits. Now there are two complete sets of chromosomes. They move apart, each becoming enveloped within a nucleus. The cytoplasm now divides roughly in half as the cell membrane grows down the middle.
Finally, the two cells separate, and the process of growth begins again.