Life sciences Mitosis

Mitosis

The division of somatic cells resulting in identical daughter cells.

Somatic cells

Normal body cells such as muscle cells or skin cells.

Gametes

Sex cells, which include sperm cells and egg cells.

Chromosomes

Thread-like structures in the cell nucleus that transfer hereditary characteristics.

Replication

The process where the DNA molecule makes an identical copy of itself before cell division.

Chromatid

One of the identical halves of a duplicated chromosome.

Centromere

The point where two chromatids are joined together.

Interphase

The phase between two consecutive cell divisions where the cell prepares for division.

Karyokinesis

The division of the nucleus and chromosomes during mitosis.

Cytokinesis

The division of the cytoplasm, organelles, and cell membrane after mitosis.

Cancer

Uncontrolled mitotic cell division leading to the formation of tumors.

Metastasis

The spread of malignant tumor cells through the bloodstream to other parts of the body.

Carcinogen

Any agent that causes cancer.

Benign tumor

A tumor that does not penetrate tissues and is usually encapsulated.

Malignant tumor

A tumor that spreads between tissue cells and damages them.

Spindle fibers

Structures that develop between centrioles to help separate chromatids during mitosis.

Prophase

The first stage of mitosis where chromatin condenses into chromosomes.

Metaphase

The stage of mitosis where chromosomes line up at the cell equator.

Anaphase

The stage of mitosis where sister chromatids are pulled apart to opposite poles.

Telophase

The final stage of mitosis where nuclear membranes form around daughter chromosomes.