Mitosis (Edexcel IGCSE Biology: Double Science)
Revision Note
Author
LáraExpertise
Biology Lead
Mitosis
- Mitosis is defined as nuclear division giving rise to genetically identical cells
- This type of cell division is used for growth, repair of damaged tissues, replacement of cells and asexual reproduction and is known as mitosis
- Most body cells have two copies of each chromosome
- We describe these cells as diploid
- When cells divide their chromosomes double beforehand (also known as duplication)
- This ensures that when the cell splits in two, each new cell still has two copies of each chromosome (is still diploid)
The process of cell division by mitosis
Process
- Just before mitosis, each chromosome in the nucleus copies itself exactly (forms x-shaped chromosomes)
- Chromosomes line up along the centre of the cell where cell fibres pull them apart
- The cell divides into two; each new cell has a copy of each of the chromosomes
You've read 0 of your 0 free revision notes
Get unlimited access
to absolutely everything:
- Downloadable PDFs
- Unlimited Revision Notes
- Topic Questions
- Past Papers
- Model Answers
- Videos (Maths and Science)
Did this page help you?