4.1.2.2 Mitosis and the Cell Cycle

What is the cell cycle?

A series of steps that the cell has to undergo in order to divide

What is the first stage of the cell cycle?

Interphase: The cell grows and increases the number of subcellular structures such as ribosomes and mitochondria. The DNA replicates to form two copies of each chromosome

What is the second stage of the cell cycle?

Mitosis: One set of chromosomes is pulled to each end of the cell and the nucleus divides

What is the third stage of the cell cycle?

Cytokinesis: Two identical daughter cells form when the cytoplasm and cell membranes divide

Why is cell division by mitosis in multicellular organisms important?

For the growth and development, and when replacing damaged cells

Why is mitosis vital in asexual reproduction?

This type of reproduction only involves one organism so to produce offspring, it replicates its own cells