What does mitosis help with in living organisms

Mitosis is a process where a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells (cell division).

• During mitosis one cell divides once to form two identical cells.
• The major purpose of mitosis is for growth and to replace worn out cells.
• If not corrected in time, mistakes made during mitosis can result in changes in the DNA that can potentially lead to genetic disorders.

Mitosis is divided into five phases:

1. Interphase:

• The DNA in the cell is copied in preparation for cell division, this results in two identical full sets of chromosomes.
• Outside of the nucleus are two centrosomes, each containing a pair of centrioles, these structures are critical for the process of cell division.
• During interphase, microtubules extend from these centrosomes.

2. Prophase:

• The chromosomes condense into X-shaped structures that can be easily seen under a microscope.
• Each chromosome is composed of two sister chromatids, containing identical genetic information.
• The chromosomes pair up so that both copies of chromosome 1 are together, both copies of chromosome 2 are together, and so on.
• At the end of prophase the membrane around the nucleus in the cell dissolves away releasing the chromosomes.
• The mitotic spindle, consisting of the microtubules and other proteins, extends across the cell between the centrioles as they move to opposite poles of the cell.

3. Metaphase:

• The chromosomes line up neatly end-to-end along the centre (equator) of the cell.
• The centrioles are now at opposite poles of the cell with the mitotic spindle fibres extending from them.
• The mitotic spindle fibres attach to each of the sister chromatids.

4. Anaphase:

• The sister chromatids are then pulled apart by the mitotic spindle which pulls one chromatid to one pole and the other chromatid to the opposite pole.

5. Telophase:

• At each pole of the cell a full set of chromosomes gather together.
• A membrane forms around each set of chromosomes to create two new nuclei.
• The single cell then pinches in the middle to form two separate daughter cells each containing a full set of chromosomes within a nucleus. This process is known as cytokinesis.

Illustration showing the five stages of mitosis.
Image credit: Genome Research Limited

This page was last updated on 2021-07-21

How helpful was this page?

👎 👍 Send

What's the main reason for your rating?

Send

Which of these best describes your occupation?

Student Scientist / Researcher Teacher Other

Send

how old are students / how old are you?

< 11 11-16 16-18 18-25 > 25

Send

What is the first part of your school's postcode?

Send

How has the site influenced you (or others)?

Send

Thankyou, we value your feedback!

Feedback

Can you spare 5-8 minutes to tell us what you think of this website? Open survey

Mitosis functions as part of the process by which cells are cloned to make genetically identical daughter cells

• There are four key reasons why a cell may be required to divide mitotically:

Tissue repair / replacement 

• Damaged or aged cells replaced with identical healthy ones

Organismal growth

• Multicellular organisms derive new cells via mitotis

Asexual reproduction

• Vegetative propagation in plants occurs via mitotic division

Development (of embryos)

• Zygotes undergo mitosis and differentiate to become embryos

Mnemonic:  TOAD

Mitosis is one way biological cells replicate. During mitosis, a single cell splits into two identical cells. In single-celled organisms, mitosis is the only viable form of reproduction. In complex organisms, mitosis is responsible for repairing damaged tissues and helping an organism grow.

Asexual Reproduction

In a single-celled organism, such as an amoeba, mitosis is how the cell reproduces. This asexual reproduction is also how many cells within a complex organism, such as a human, create new cells. Mitosis happens through five distinct phases: prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase. During prophase, the cell's DNA material -- the chromosomes -- becomes visible. In prometaphase, the cell's nuclear membrane dissolves, allowing the chromosomes to move. By metaphase, the chromosomes are perfectly lined up in the middle of the cell. During anaphase, the chromosomes split in two and are pulled to opposite ends of the cell. Finally, in telophase, each set of chromosomes is surrounded by a new nucleus, and the cell begins to cleave in half. Through a process known as cytokinesis, the single cell breaks apart into two identical cells, completing the reproduction.

Growth

As plants and animals age, most also grow in size. Mitosis creates the cells necessary to add more mass to the body, as well as more cells to cope with the growth, such as new blood cells. It should be noted that not all cells in the human body undergo mitosis or other forms of reproduction. Nerves and muscle cells do not. After the body has made enough nerve and muscle cells, it does not have a mechanism in place to make any more.

Tissue Repair

When an organism is injured, mitosis occurs to replace the damaged cells. This repair is especially important for skin and blood vessels, which protect and oxygenate muscles and organs in the body. Mitosis also helps replace blood lost through a wound. In certain organisms, like lizards, mitosis can replace entire lost limbs such as tails or legs.

Errors in Mitosis

Because mitosis is so important to the repair and growth of cells in the body, when problems occur, they are serious in nature. One major complication of faulty mitosis is cancer. Mutations in DNA can occur during the mitosis process, and if they aren't caught, cancerous cells can arise. Mitosis errors can also occur during the development of a fetus, leading to chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome and Turner syndrome.

What are 5 roles of mitosis in living things?

What are the two uses of mitosis?

What would happen to an organism if mitosis did not occur?

How many parents do living things that use mitosis to reproduce have?