Definition of Mitosis
Mitosis is the process of cell division in eukaryotic organisms that results in two daughter cells genetically identical to the parent cell. It occurs in somatic (body) cells and maintains the chromosome number, producing cells with the same 2n diploid set as the original.
Stages of Mitosis
Mitosis consists of four main stages: prophase, where chromosomes condense and the nuclear envelope breaks down; metaphase, where chromosomes align at the cell's equator; anaphase, where sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles; and telophase, where nuclear envelopes reform around the separated chromosomes, followed by cytokinesis to divide the cytoplasm.
Practical Example: Mitosis in Tissue Repair
In human skin, mitosis enables wound healing. When a cut occurs, nearby epithelial cells undergo mitosis to proliferate and replace damaged tissue, ensuring the skin barrier is restored without altering genetic information across generations of cells.
Importance and Applications
Mitosis is crucial for multicellular organism growth, development, and maintenance, such as in embryonic development or replacing old red blood cells. Dysregulation can lead to diseases like cancer, where uncontrolled mitosis causes tumor formation, highlighting its role in medical research and treatments.