Mitosis – Cell Division

Diagram of Mitosis

Mitosis is a cell division that involves the duplication and equal distribution of chromosomes from a parent cell to two identical daughter cells. The term “mitosis” is derived from the Greek word “mitos,” meaning fibril or thread, reflecting the thread-like appearance of chromosomes during the process. Flemming coined the term “mitosis” in 1882. Mitosis is also called as equational division because the distribution of genetic material is equal in the daughter nuclei. In eukaryotic cells (having a cell nucleus) including animal, plant, fungal, and protist cells, the cell cycle is divided into two main stages: interphase, and mitosis in the M phase that also includes cytokinesis.

Mitosis occurs in somatic cells and represents a small percentage (about 1-5%) of the total cell cycle duration. The duration of mitosis can vary based on cell types and species, ranging from 30 minutes to 3 hours. Mitosis is especially prominent in meristematic regions, such as the root apex, shoot apex, intercalary meristem, lateral meristem, leaves, flowers, fruits, embryos, and seeds.

Mitosis – Overview, Phases, & Significance Class Notes

Cell Cycle M phase, or mitotic phase, is an important stage in the cell cycle responsible for cell division. Mitosis is a process where a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells. The process of mitosis consists of two main steps: karyokinesis, which involves the division of the cell nucleus, and cytokinesis, which is the separation of the cytoplasm and other organelles. The four stages of mitosis are prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase. Cytokinesis completes the cell cycle and is responsible for the physical division of a parent cell into two daughter cells. It helps in the survival and growth of organisms, maintenance of chromosome number, and repair of damaged cells.

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